What to Feed Laying Hens
Whether it's a backyard chicken coop or a large-scale operation, it is essential to know how to properly feed laying hens. This will ensure their health and a high yield of quality eggs. If the appropriate feed is provided at all times, along with a constant supply of water, chickens will lay consistently.
Other People Are Reading
-
Importance Of Proper Nutrition
-
Hens require optimum nutrition to lay eggs productively. Feed is primarily used to maintain the hen's health. After the necessary amounts of nutrients have been consumed for basic body maintenance, excess nutrients go toward the production and laying of eggs. Chickens expected to lay must be fed properly at every stage of their development, from birth to adulthood, to avoid poor egg production. No matter what type of hen being fed, the requirements for protein, vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates and fibers are relatively the same. All of these are essentials for a laying hen. Scratch, such as grains, barley, corn and oats, can be provided as long as these are a supplement to regular feed. Likewise, table scraps and greens can be provided as long as they are kept to a minimum and are not the sole source of food.
Different Feeds For Different Stages Of Development
-
Like most animals, laying hens require different food at different stages of development. Starter feed should be provided between birth and six weeks of age. It's especially high in protein. After six weeks, hens should be switched to a grower feed. After about 14 weeks, developer feed can be substituted. This is not mandatory, as grower and developer feed are relatively interchangeable. Once the hen begins laying, it should be switched to either a layer or breeder feed. As the names suggest, chickens whose eggs are meant to be used as food should be fed layer feed and those whose eggs are meant for hatching should be fed breeder feed.
-
How To Feed
-
If enough space isn't provided for a group of laying hens, competition may keep some chickens from getting enough food. Thus, it's a good idea to spread the food over a large area. It is also recommended that food be provided at all times. Water should also be provided at all times, as chickens consume approximately two to three times more water, by weight, than they do feed. Scratch, table scraps and greens should be limited. Do not keep feed longer than two months. Make sure to store it in a cool, dry place, or mold may begin to grow in the feed, which can be dangerous to hens. Chickens provided scratch need to consume grit to ensure proper digestion. Hens can consume pebbles in the grass as a grit source, and commercial grit can be purchased for animals kept in a pen away from grass.
-
