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Rule the Roost: Steps to Take as your Hens Start to Lay

Rule the Roost: Steps to Take as your Hens Start to Lay

Rule the Roost: Steps to Take as your Hens Start to Lay

If you began raising chicks in the spring, your flock is approaching the 18-to-22-week-old mark, and your hens might have even laid their first egg. Before you start perfecting your quiche recipe and promising the neighbors fresh dozens, it’s important to ensure your chickens have the right feed and laying conditions.

The first step to a healthy flock is switching your feed from grower feed to layer feed. Layer feed is formulated with ideal protein and calcium levels for newly laying hens to promote healthy egg production.

 

Choosing Nutrient Content

Hens need adequate calcium and protein levels to lay nutrient-rich eggs with strong shells, so a layer feed containing 3 to 4 percent calcium is ideal for most hens.

It is also important for laying hens to consume enough protein. Feed containing 16% crude protein is sufficient for maintaining a hen’s nutrient levels during laying and molting. If you have older hens in your flock, you may consider a layer feed with a higher protein content, as mature layers need more protein than young hens.


Other Considerations for Nesting Hens

When choosing which feed to give your hens, you might notice there are different options for layer feed, such as layer pellet and layer crumble. While both kinds of feed have the same nutrient content, layer crumble is the better choice for younger or smaller birds, while layer pellet is the typical choice for fully grown hens. Layer pellet also has the added benefit of reducing feed waste.

In addition to switching to layer feed, it is important to create an optimal nesting environment for your hens. Each hen needs between 1.5 and 2 sq. feet of nesting space. Overcrowding in roosts can contribute to cracked eggs. You should also aim to maintain 3 to 4 inches of dry bedding material in the hens’ roosts. Creating a comfortable nesting environment for your hens will help them lay consistently and prevent damaged eggs.


Monitoring your Hen’s Health

One way to monitor the health of your flock as they start to lay is to observe the appearance of the eggs. Thin, breakable shells can signal a calcium deficiency. If this is the case, consider adding additional calcium supplements to your flock’s diet, such as leafy greens, limestone grit, or oyster shells.

Hens can also lay shell-less eggs. This is common for young layers—especially after molting— and not an immediate cause for alarm.

You should, however, continue to monitor your hens to ensure that they have comfortable, stress-free laying conditions and proper nutrition. With proper attention and care, your hens should lay consistent, healthy eggs.


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