Do you wonder what to feed chicken to lay more eggs? Most chickens lay one egg a day, but there are several ways to increase their egg-laying rate. Some of these simple tips can improve egg-laying results. Cracked corn, crushed oyster shell, and crumbled egg shells are excellent options. You can also try adding scratch grains and cracked eggs to their diet. If these tips do not work, try changing the type of feed your chicken gets.
Contents
Scratch grains
Providing scratch for your chickens is an important step in raising more egg-laying birds. Scratch is a mixture of grains, usually corn or wheat, that your chickens will eat. As they scratch, they will find tiny insects that are rich in nutrients. You can also provide pebbles called grit for your chickens to eat. Just make sure to keep the scratch out for your chickens on a regular basis.
Although these grains shouldn’t be your chicken’s main diet, they do offer some benefits when given in moderation. For example, giving your hens scratch in the fall and winter can encourage a molt, allowing your chickens to start the spring season with good egg production. Scratch grains can be easily modified according to your hen’s preferences. Just be sure to observe your hen’s behavior before giving them scratch grains.
Cracked corn
While the majority of chickens are omnivorous, egg layers need more protein. A diet that is only high in cracked corn will leave them starving for protein and plucking at their feathers. Cracked corn is a great source of protein and carbohydrates and offers a wide range of vitamins and minerals, including iron and vitamin B12.
In order to make cracked corn a valuable part of your chicken’s diet, it needs to be a novelty. It should never become a regular part of their mealtime. Cracked corn is a great treat for chickens, but remember that too much can lead to detrimental health effects, so use it wisely. For larger flocks, cracking corn is an affordable alternative to a more expensive feed option. Remember, cracking corn can also be easily distributed.
Crushed oyster shell
Giving your chicken crushed oyster shell is a great way to encourage her to lay more eggs. But be careful: giving her too much of it can lead to other problems. If you are feeding your chickens oyster shells when they are not yet fully grown, you might risk causing calcium overload. So, keep oyster shells separate from their feed. You can also put them in a feeder for your chickens to pick up as needed.
You can collect the oyster shells from local beaches. Most beaches allow you to collect shells for free, provided they do not contain sea life. Some beaches have bag limits, so you might want to check before you go! To make shells easier to crack, you can bake them for 10 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. This will kill any bacteria and mold on them. Once the shells are dried, place them in a burlap sack or feed bag and place them in the chicken’s water daily.
Crumbled egg shells
Using crumbled egg shells to feed chicken to lay eggs is a great way to supplement your hen’s diet with extra calcium. Chickens need calcium to stay healthy, and eggshells are a natural source of this mineral. If you want to feed your hen with eggshells, make sure to dry the shells in a 350° oven for 10 minutes, then crush them up into a powder. You can also add crushed egg shells to her calcium feeding tray. It’s a great way to avoid spending too much on oyster shells, and you’ll save money in the long run.
It’s important to note that crumbling eggshells is better than boiling them as this will break down the membrane in the shell and prevent it from breaking up into a fine powder. Additionally, it’s safer for your chicken to eat the shells in small pieces than a big chunk. Large pieces of shell may discourage hens from eating eggs, so use small amounts of eggshells instead.
Scrambled eggs
Chickens need calcium to lay eggs, and they can get it from eating scrambled eggs. They’re also very tasty, so they won’t stop eating them once they’ve tasted them. But if you want your chicken to lay more eggs, you need to figure out what to feed them during their molting period. Scrambled eggs are an excellent alternative to raw eggs, as they’re high in protein and make for an easy treat to give them.
Eggs contain 13% protein, which is the ideal amount of protein for a layer. Chickens that aren’t getting enough protein will begin to resort to eggshells as a means of filling their bellies. Protein helps them grow and develop, facilitating the growth of their feathers, muscles, and nails. In addition to proteins, eggs also contain potassium, which helps them survive heat stress, and iron, which is needed for blood formation.
Water
Fresh water is crucial for chickens to lay more eggs. They need a large amount of water to drink and this is why chicken owners should refill their waterers daily. Multiple watering stations will keep competition at bay and will boost egg production. This tip may also prevent predators from eating your chickens’ eggs. It may take a little time to see results, but it will be worth it in the end. Read on to discover how to make your chickens lay more eggs.
During egg-laying days, laying hens consume more water. Their daily water intake increases by more than double and their number of drinks per day also increases. Although chickens can survive on fluffy snow, they will not lay if the snow is their sole source of water. Instead, they will eat snow to survive. Fresh, warm water is essential for healthy egg production. While heated water sources can help, these are impractical for those who live off the grid and have no means to provide heated water.
