Chickens require a diet with balanced nutrition to produce high quality eggs. An optimal layer feed should contain ample proteins as well as essential components such as prebiotics, omega-3s, calcium, and magnesium for optimal egg production.
Hens are naturally light sensitive creatures and require at least 14-18 hours of natural sunlight per day in order to produce quality eggs. If your hens aren’t producing as much, consider providing additional lighting during the fall and winter months.
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Feeding Schedule
If your goal is to raise chickens so they produce more eggs, it’s essential that you create an efficient feeding schedule for them. This will ensure they always have access to enough feed throughout their day.
Hens require a diet rich in proteins, calcium, and vitamins in order to produce eggs with strong shells that will reach your kitchen without cracking. It’s crucial that they receive plenty of food sources rich in these areas for maximum egg production.
Good quality feed contains 15-17% protein and can help your hens produce more eggs consistently. To maintain freshness, store it in an airtight, rodent-proof container to ensure freshness.
At 18 weeks of age, your laying hens should be switched over to a layer feed specifically formulated for them. They need access to complete feed that provides all of the nutrients they require while laying, such as calcium for strong eggshells and amino acids for improved egg quality.
Treats
If you want to increase egg production in your chickens, there are various treats you can give them that could help. Berries are popular choices; alternatively, try offering some yogurt or cottage cheese for their snacking pleasure.
These foods contain calcium, which is necessary for egg laying. Furthermore, they provide protein.
Your hens can benefit from supplementing their feed with crushed oyster shells as a source of calcium; these provide their bodies with essential building blocks needed for strong bones and shells.
Chick grit and scratches, designed to assist hens with food digestion, should also be fed in moderation to your flock – never more than 10% of their diet should include these supplements.
Feeding Stations
For your chickens to produce more eggs, they need access to food and water at all times. Feeding stations offer free choice from among mash, grain and pellet options.
Your efforts should ensure they’re getting the most out of their diets and meeting their nutrient needs optimally. Furthermore, offering them grit or oyster shells could strengthen egg shells.
Feeding stations should be situated nearby the coop so chickens can access them easily, with sufficient feed available at any one time for your flock. Furthermore, keeping feeders at an optimal height for each chicken will prevent unwanted spillage of feed.
Nest Boxes
Eggs are an excellent source of protein for chickens, so make sure you provide them with quality laying mash or pellet feed. Feel free to also incorporate fruit and vegetables into their diet as desired.
Ensure your chickens produce more eggs by providing safe nest boxes made of metal, plastic or wood that are easy to keep clean and maintain. These may help increase laying.
Position the nest boxes high off the ground to maximize privacy and prevent scratching around and breaking eggs, as well as install perches to assist them with climbing in and out.
When purchasing a nest box for your chickens, be sure to choose one large enough to house all four birds at the same time. Standard compartments typically can fit four birds at once.
