Encouraging Egg Laying

Whether you have a few backyard chickens or a coop full of hens providing eggs to your community, there are several helpful tips to naturally encourage your chickens to lay more eggs.

How Often Do Chickens Lay Eggs?

Typically, a hen will begin laying eggs around 18 to 22 weeks of age. Once they start, hens can lay an egg nearly every day, with most chickens producing about one egg daily. However, the egg creation process takes about 24 to 26 hours. Therefore, hens generally lay about six eggs a week, although egg production tends to slow down during the fall moult and winter months.

What Affects Egg Laying?

To maximize egg production, it’s important to keep your chickens healthy and stress-free. Several factors can influence how often your hens lay:

• Age: Very young hens can naturally have inconsistent laying patterns up until their first year. Egg production typically starts to decrease gradually as hens age, particularly after 2 or 3 years old. However, most hens will continue to lay eggs until they’re between 5 and 8 years old.
• Moulting: Moulting, which happens in the fall, is when hens shed old feathers and grow new ones. During this time, hens will stop laying eggs.
• Less Daylight: As the days get shorter in the winter, hens will naturally slow down or stop laying eggs due to reduced sunlight exposure. For optimal egg production, hens need about 14 hours of light and about 8 hours of darkness each day.
• Not Enough Calcium: Calcium is essential for egg production since eggshells are made almost entirely of calcium. If your hens aren’t getting enough calcium, it can negatively affect both their egg production and overall health.
• Low Protein: A lack of protein can lead to reduced egg laying. In warmer months, hens can forage for insects that provide them with this essential nutrient. But during winter, when the ground is frozen and covered in snow, they can’t get the same amount of natural protein.
• Stress: Stress from illness, injury, or the presence of predators can cause hens to stop laying eggs. Chickens are naturally prey animals and will retreat from egg production when they feel threatened.
• Overall Health: Keeping your chickens free from parasites and diseases is essential for their well-being and their ability to lay eggs regularly.

Natural Ways to Boost Egg Production

If your hens are in their prime laying years (6 months to 3 years old) and you notice a drop in eggs, there are a few natural strategies to try and increase egg production:

1. Increase Protein Intake:
   • Winter months can be particularly tough for your hens to get enough protein, so try feeding them extra protein-rich foods twice a day. Since it takes about 24 hours to make an egg, adding extra protein after your hens lay an egg can help them start the next cycle of egg-laying more efficiently.
2. Provide Calcium:
   • Calcium is critical for hens to lay strong eggs. To supplement their diet, keep a container of crushed oyster shells in the coop for free access. You can also save your eggshells, dry them out, and crush them to feed back to your chickens.
3. Add Supplemental Light:
   • As daylight shortens in the winter, egg production can drop. You can help maintain production by adding a light source to the coop. A chicken heat bulb on a timer to provide at least 14 hours of light a day can encourage your hens to continue laying.
4. Maintain a Clean and Safe Coop:
   • A clean, stress-free environment is crucial for laying hens. Chickens are naturally wary of predators, so it’s important to secure your coop to prevent any potential threats. Make sure the coop temperature stays between 4-32°C (40-90°F) and provide soft, clean bedding for nesting. A regularly cleaned coop, with fresh bedding added weekly, helps maintain good health and ensures your hens are productive and comfortable.

By following these tips, you can help ensure your hens lay eggs consistently and remain healthy and happy. Happy egg-laying!

Sources:
How to Naturally Encourage Egg Laying in Chickens
How to Increase Egg Production in Laying Hens