Laying hens -what are the basics?

Feeding:

A laying hens’ health and egg production depend on a balanced diet. Chickens are omnivores therefore their diet does not consist of food scraps alone but includes a meat content. You will also see that spiders and creepy crawlys will not survive long in a chicken coop, even small snails! Laying hens need protein and calcium to form an egg. If there is not enough in their feed, it will be hijacked from the stores needed to grow and maintain healthy bodies.

Formulated feeds for laying hens provide for the correct balance of protein and energy to support growth, egg production and daily functions, These feeds usually have vitamins and minerals to support egg production and essential body functions and also calcium for strong bones and good quality egg shells. Hens do enjoy picking at scraps and grazing in the garden which provides a source of vitamins and results in better yolk colour but doesn’t provide a balance of essential nutrients.

Plenty of cool clean water should be available for maximum egg production. A lack of water may cause the hen to cease to lay and her comb turn a blue/black colour. A hint to help keep the water clean is to elevate the water container up off the ground a little (whilst keeping it in easy reach) so that dirt is not sent flying into the container as the hens scratch around in the earth. Remember that three times as much water may be required in extremely hot weather. Consider purchasing a specialised poultry drinker to help reduce water contamination and provide a visible indication of the stored water level.

Housing:

Just like us, your hens will want to shelter from rain, wind and strong sunlight. They also need to feel safe and secure from predators or dogs. It’s natural for poultry to perch at night. Without a perch, they will crowd together in a corner at night and a pile of manure will form, sticking to their feet and transferring to nest boxes and eggs. Provide a perch at night and they will remain cleaner. It needs to be a comfortable jumping height around 600mm and long enough for each hen to have 250mm space. Young hens may need training to use the perch at night. It only takes a few visits to the hen house a dusk each night to place them on the perch and they will soon get the hang of it.

Nesting space in the form of boxes can be purchases or home made. They need a comfortable, dry, separate area. A good nesting medium is shellgrit as it helps to keep the eggs dry and clean. It also provides a form of calcium and grit which are good for hens to ingest as they peck around in the nest. As a rule, 6 hens require about 1 sqm of nesting space.

Health:

Laying hens can suffer from worms, mites infections and parasites. Feel free to ask if you have any concerns as there are medicines, treatments and supplements available.

Crisp mornings and cosy evenings are here again! Winter is a wonderful time of year to take stock and catch up on some rest after the busy summer and autumn months. And it’s no different for your chickens after a demanding season of laying eggs.

Many people are surprised to find that chickens are quite capable of dealing with the cold and are a lot hardier than they think. The arrival of shorter days and cooler weather stimulate changes in a chicken’s body and behaviour which will help her stay warm and healthy over winter.

To maintain their body temperature, chickens have a layer of specialised small, soft feathers under their outer contour feathers. These ‘down feathers’ trap air next to the chicken’s skin, keeping it at body temperature and preventing it from escaping into the environment – the same principle which keeps us toasty warm inside a down jacket. Chickens will fluff their feathers to bring more air into this insulating layer if needed.

There are some parts of a chicken that aren’t covered by feathers, of course, and this is where behaviour comes into play. Chickens will often stand on one foot at a time, keeping the other one warm by tucking it up into the feathers on their abdomen. The comb and wattle – which act as excellent ‘radiators’ in the summer months – need to be similarly protected during the cold nights, which is why hens will tuck their heads under their wings to sleep.

Alongside these natural adaptations, there are a few things you can do to help your flock keep warm and avoid any health problems over winter. While Australian winters generally don’t reach sub-zero temperatures, it’s worth making sure your hens have everything they need for the cold months:

• Check the roost

Night-time is when chickens are most vulnerable to the cold so it’s important to provide them with a good place to roost off the ground. Ideally, the perch should be wide enough for them to roost side-by-side to conserve heat and of the right thickness for them to grip comfortably and allow them to cover their feet with their feathers.

• Keep the coop clean and dry

Make sure the coop is well insulated from drafts and protected from wet weather, whilst allowing ventilation to stop the build-up of moisture. Regular cleaning is also a must.

• Make sure they’re eating right

Keeping warm takes a lot of energy so it’s important to make sure chickens are getting enough nutrition to stay healthy. Free access to a high-quality feed will ensure the chicken meets her energy needs, and give her a head start when Spring Flush comes around again.