When Should Ovulation Be Suppressed in Hens?

Ovulation suppression has become an increasingly important tool in the management of reproductive disease in hens. One of the most common questions asked by caretakers and veterinarians is simple: when should ovulation be suppressed?Some recommendations suggest initiating ovulation suppression according to a fixed timeline. However, hens vary widely in egg production, reproductive biology, and individual health history. Because of these differences, a single timeline may not be appropriate for every bird.Modern laying chickens have been selectively bred to produce large numbers of eggs each year. Each egg represents an ovulatory event. Over time, repeated ovulation places mechanical and inflammatory stress on reproductive tissues.Understanding when ovulation suppression may be beneficial requires considering the reproductive workload experienced by the individual hen.