Raising backyard chickens for fresh eggs offers a rewarding experience and a direct supply of nutritious food. Providing suitable conditions for laying hens ensures their well-being and consistent egg production.
Essential Housing and Environment
A well-designed coop provides safe, comfortable living space. Standard chickens need 3-5 square feet of coop space per bird, larger breeds at least 4 square feet, and bantams about 2 square feet. An outdoor run is also important, with 8-10 square feet per bird for foraging.
Proper ventilation is crucial for coop air quality, preventing moisture and respiratory issues. In warmer climates, allow 1 square foot of ventilation for every 10 square feet of coop floor space, with more needed in hot weather. Vents should be high to allow warm, moist air to escape; in colder months, minimize drafts directly on birds. Windows aid ventilation, but all openings, including vents, must be covered with hardware cloth for predator protection.
Inside the coop, roosting bars offer chickens a natural place to sleep off the ground. Bars should be 2-4 inches wide, allowing flat-footed sleep to prevent frostbite in colder temperatures. Provide at least 8 inches of roosting space per bird, though chickens often huddle in winter. Nesting boxes are necessary for egg laying, with a recommended size of 12x12x12 inches for most breeds. One nesting box per 3-5 hens is generally sufficient, as hens often share.
Predator protection is paramount. Chicken wire is inadequate; predators like raccoons can easily tear through or reach its large openings. Use 1/2-inch or 1/4-inch heavy-gauge hardware cloth for all coop and run enclosures. To deter digging predators, bury hardware cloth 12-18 inches deep around the coop perimeter or extend it horizontally as an apron. Secure latches on doors and nesting boxes, like sliding bolts with carabiners, prevent clever predators from entry.
Daily Nourishment and Hydration
Laying hens require a balanced diet formulated for egg production and overall health. A complete layer feed (pellet or crumble) provides necessary protein, vitamins, and minerals. For optimal egg production, layer feeds typically contain 16-18% crude protein and sufficient calcium. Hens consume approximately 0.25-0.33 pounds (100-150 grams) of feed daily.
Chickens need constant access to feed, provided through high-quality self-feeders. Place feeders at chickens’ back height to minimize waste. While free-ranging allows foraging, a complete feed remains essential for all necessary nutrients. Give occasional treats in moderation; the main diet portion should always be layer feed to prevent deficiencies.
Access to fresh, clean water is equally important. Chickens consume about twice as much water by weight as feed. For instance, a hen eating 0.25 pounds of feed daily will drink 0.5 pounds of water. Provide multiple water containers for continuous access, especially in hot weather. Waterers should prevent chickens from stepping in or soiling the water, maintaining hygiene.
Calcium supplementation is important for strong eggshells. Laying hens need about 4 grams of calcium daily, with 2 grams going directly into each eggshell. Crushed oyster shells effectively provide this additional calcium. Oyster shells are a soluble calcium form, dissolving slowly to provide a steady release, particularly when eggshells are formed at night. Offer oyster shells in a separate feeder, allowing hens to self-regulate intake based on individual needs.
Maintaining Flock Health
Daily observation helps identify signs of health or illness. Healthy chickens are active, alert, with bright eyes and clean feathers. They move freely, exhibit normal eating/drinking behaviors, and interact with the flock. Signs of illness include lethargy, ruffled feathers, eye/nostril discharge, limping, or decreased appetite and egg production. Prompt attention prevents health issues from escalating.
Regular coop cleaning prevents disease and parasites. Waste accumulation leads to ammonia buildup, creating a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and insects. Remove soiled bedding and replenish with fresh material to maintain a hygienic environment. Good ventilation also reduces moisture and ammonia, crucial for respiratory health.
Dust baths are an instinctive, beneficial behavior for chickens. Rolling in dry, loose materials like sand or fine dirt naturally cleans feathers, removes excess oils, and dislodges external parasites like mites and lice. Provide a designated dust bath area (natural patch or container with suitable materials) to support this essential hygiene practice. Adding wood ash or food-grade diatomaceous earth can further aid parasite control.
Monitor chickens for external parasites; infestations can lead to feather loss, reduced egg production, and anemia. Regular visual checks of feathers and skin detect parasites early. While dust bathing helps, severe infestations may require additional interventions. Internal parasites are also a concern, though basic preventative measures like a clean coop and adequate space reduce their prevalence. Adequate space in the coop and run also prevents stress and pecking behaviors from overcrowding.
Harvesting and Storing Eggs
Collecting eggs regularly maintains cleanliness and reduces breakage risk. Collect eggs daily, sometimes two to three times per day, especially in hot or cold weather. Frequent collection discourages hens from developing egg-eating habits if they encounter broken eggs. Handle eggs gently to avoid cracks.
Freshly laid eggs have a natural protective “bloom” or “cuticle,” which seals the shell and prevents bacteria entry. Clean eggs do not necessarily need immediate washing. Unwashed eggs with intact bloom can typically be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks, or several weeks.
If eggs have visible dirt or debris, clean them. For lightly soiled eggs, use a dry cloth or brush. If washing is necessary, use warm water; cold water can create a vacuum pulling bacteria into the egg through shell pores. Once washed, the protective bloom is removed, and the egg must be refrigerated to inhibit bacterial growth. Refrigerated eggs generally last up to 45-60 days. Once refrigerated, they should remain so; leaving them at room temperature for over two hours can promote bacterial growth due to condensation.