But sometimes the hens are not very productive…
And this, even during the egg season between April and October.
Fortunately, there are effective tips to boost the production of your hens.
Here are 9 natural tricks to make a hen lay eggs much faster. Look :
1. Reduce stress
One of the elements that most disturbs laying is stress.
The causes can be multiple:
Passage of birds of prey or dogs near the chicken coop, arrival of newcomers, loud noises, temperature changes…
In any case, a hen whose laying frequency decreases should alert you.
What could be done to fix it ?
Remember that they love their little routine.
The smallest change stresses them out.
Take care to bring about any change gradually.
Limit the passage of predatory animals or animals considered dangerous.
If necessary, protect the chicken coop for at least 40 cm in height with bushes, vegetation or even recycled boards.
2. Give it more space
To lay eggs, hens need enough space.
It is said that it takes approximately 2 m2 per henthis is what specialists recommend.
This space is divided as follows:
1 half a square meter in the chicken coop, and the rest for the outdoor space.
The more they are crowded, the less productive they will be.
Conversely, too much space does not stimulate them either.
What could be done to fix it ?
Adapt the number of birds to the space you have.
Especially for the indoor part.
For the outer part, too much space seems less serious.
3. Get rid of its parasites
Parasites can infest the chicken coop:
Fleas, mites, lice…
In addition to chickens being bitten, parasites also spread disease.
With force, it can become problematic to the point of causing anemia or intestinal problems.
What could be done to fix it ?
Treat the hens regularly to rid them of as many parasites as possible.
This trick based on diatomaceous earth is great!
Also take the opportunity to clean the room thoroughly with white vinegar.
4. Thoroughly clean the chicken coop
It seems logical…but a clean shelter is essential for it to lay eggs at a good pace.
Living in a place that is dirty, smells of ammonia, or is soiled with urine and feces is not conducive to breeding.
On the contrary, a clean place can only stimulate the hens to lay eggs.
What could be done to fix it ?
Clean the chicken coop regularly, at least once a week.
Remove soiled straw and droppings. Wash the feeders.
Once a month, do a deep cleaning with white vinegar.
5. Provide clean, fresh water
Hens are fond of fresh water…and clean!
The drinker should be clean and cleaned regularly.
Watch out for algae that grows in it or mud that settles.
If the bowl is dirty, the hens will not drink and are not hydrated enough.
And a hen that does not drink enough is a hen that will lay less.
What could be done to fix it ?
Clean the water bowl with white vinegar or bicarbonate.
It is best to have a drinker whose water circulates, or with automatic distribution.
6. Help her during the moult
At the end of summer, the hens shed their old feathers.
This step can tire them out, because it takes a lot of energy to restore their plumage.
And who says fatigue, says egg production that decreases…
What could be done to fix it ?
Well, unfortunately, there’s not much you can do except feed a high-protein, high-calcium diet.
Provide a sandbox for them to dust bath regularly.
7. Give her food supplements
Laying hens that produce a lot can have deficiencies.
To avoid this, they can be supplemented by giving them vitamins and minerals.
What could be done to fix it ?
Adapt the diet by giving more fresh foods such as vegetable or fruit peelings for example and at least 20% protein.
Add supplements, especially in winter and spring.
These specialized foods can be purchased at a garden center or a pet store.
Hens also love oyster shells: it provides them with calcium to solidify the shell of their eggs.
8. Spot Brooder Syndrome
Some hens, depending on their breed, have a hyper-developed maternal instinct.
That’s a good thing…unless you want your hen to hatch faster.
A hen that begins to brood does not produce new eggs for 21 days.
This is the time it takes for the chicks to be born.
Then, after that, she will take care of them for several more weeks.
In short, this type of behavior decreases yield for at least 3 months.
What could be done to fix it ?
You can let one complete its brood.
But it’s a double-edged sword, because brooding can be « contagious » to other hens.
For others, remove the eggs regularly.
Close access to nests and nesting boxes during the day so that they are not tempted to brood.
9. Choose the right chicken breed
If you want to have a good egg crop, rely on genetics and choose a hen known to be a good layer.
Some breeds can lay up to 250 eggs per year provided they live outdoors.
What could be done to fix it ?
Here are the most productive hens you should choose to have hens that lay faster:
– the red hen
– the Sussex
– Harco
– la Gournay
– the Gatinaise
In addition to being good layers, these hens are super pretty.
Your turn…
Have you tried these grandmother’s tricks to speed up the laying of your hens? Let us know in the comments if it worked for you. We can’t wait to read you!
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Also to discover:
17 Tips For Your Chicken Coop That Will Make Your Hens Happy!
Chickens: 25 Forbidden Foods You Should Never Give Them!
