If you want a consistent supply of fresh eggs, the key is to keep your hens healthy and content. Here are nine practical tips to ensure your flock lays eggs regularly.
1. Provide Fresh, Clean Water: Hens should have access to clean water daily, about 0.5 liters each, increasing in hot weather. Ensure they have enough waterers—one for every ten hens—to prevent crowding and stress.
2. Reduce Stress Levels: Stress can halt egg production, so maintain a calm environment by sticking to a routine, minimizing loud noises, and protecting hens from predators. When introducing new chickens, do so gradually to minimize disruptions.
3. Provide Enough Calcium: Strong eggshells depend on adequate calcium. Offer crushed oyster shells or finely ground, cooked eggshells in a separate container for hens to take as needed. Insufficient calcium can lead to soft or weak-shelled eggs.
4. Give Them Space to Roam: Avoid crowding, which can cause stress and health issues. Aim for at least 0.5 square meters per chicken inside the coop and 1 square meter per hen in outdoor areas.
5. Monitor for Pests and Parasites: Keep an eye out for mites, lice, and worms, which can weaken hens and reduce egg production. Conduct monthly inspections and use anti-parasitic products to maintain flock health.
6. Keep the Coop Clean: Regular cleaning of the coop prevents illness and supports laying. Remove droppings, clean nesting areas, and maintain tidy perches. Using removable trays simplifies cleaning and helps avoid harmful ammonia buildup.
7. Help During Molting: Molting can stress hens, so increase their protein intake to around 20-22%. Treats like mealworms and high-protein feeds can aid recovery, while vitamins support their strength and feather regrowth.
8. Feed Quality Food: A balanced diet is vital. Provide layer feed with 16% protein and supplement with natural options like grass, insects, and vegetable scraps. Avoid excessive carbs, as they can lead to obesity and lower egg production.
9. Add Supplemental Light in Winter: Hens require 14 hours of light daily to lay consistently. In winter, introduce gentle artificial light in the morning or evening to maintain their laying cycle, but avoid overdoing it, as too much light can cause stress.
Healthy hens are the secret to regular egg production!
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