Maximizing Egg Production in Your Backyard Chicken Flock

Selecting the Right Breed

This will be a theme throughout most of the posts on this site. First and foremost, it is important to understand that egg production is influenced by many factors, such as genetics, age, nutrition, and the environment. Therefore, the first step to maximizing egg production is to select the right chicken breeds.

Some chicken breeds, such as Leghorn and Rhode Island Red, are known for their high egg production, while others, such as the Plymouth Rock, are dual-purpose breeds and are also suitable for meat production. There are many factors to concider, other than egg production, when picking chickens for your flock so this can be a balancing act. If you are new to raising backyard chickens, check out our post on 5 of the Best Breeds for Egg Laying

Providing a Well-Balanced Diet

Next, you’ll want to make sure your chickens have a well-balanced diet. Chickens need a variety of nutrients to produce eggs, such as protein, calcium, and other vitamins and neutrients. These can be provided through a commercial chicken feed, or if you really want to control their diet, you can make your own feed.

Supplementing

You can also supplement their diet with kitchen scraps. This has the added benefit of limiting your food waste and giving your chickens some variety. You can learn more about Chicken Feeding Dos and Don'ts here.

Aside from food scrps, another great way to supplement your chicken's diet is with 'chicken treats.' Usually made of meal worms or black soldier fly larvae, most chicken treats have lots of the neutrients your chickens could be missing if they spend most of their time in a run or during the winter months. There are lots of options when it comes to treats/supplements but we tend to stick with Grubblies. We typically stick with Grubblies but have purchased Pecking Order Boonworms in a pinch from Rural King.

Don't Overlook Water!

Additionally, it is important to provide your chickens with fresh water at all times. Chickens are known to drink more water when the temperature is high, but fresh water is also important during the winter months. Depending on your climate keeping water thawed is another concideration for when the temperatures drop. Large watering containers are super convenient for you as they don't run empty as often and tend to freeze slower in the winter but it's important to keep the water fresh even if it hasn't run dry.

Create a Comfortable Environment

The environment plays an important role in egg production as well. Safe, comfortable, and happy chickens will provide you with lots of fresh eggs. In my experience, chickens that are worried abour predators, have sloppy bedding that is over it's capacity to containe waste, and stressed chickens don't lay well. Here are a couple of things to concider:

• Nesting Boxes: Chickens need a safe and comfortable place to lay their eggs. Nesting boxes should be cleaned regularly and replenished with fresh bedding materials. It may seem strange but hens also like a bit of privacy. Providing seperation between nesting boxes will encourage their use and keep all of the hens from fighting over the one nesting box in the corner of the coop.
• Space: In the coop and in the run. Chickens need a place to roost and rest at night and room to roam during the day. Make sure you have a coop and run that is big enough to accommodate all of your birds. A spacious coop will not only help with egg production by keeping your chickens comfortable, it will also keep waste from piling up as quickly. Which brings me to the next point.
• Hygiene: Clean spaces make for happy and healthy chickens. Keeping your coop clean can help prevent diseases in chickens which can affect their production but it also keeps the chickens from crowding clean areas resulting in broken eggs and provides a better expereince for you, your spouse or significant other and any little helpers as well.

Let There Be light

Lighting is also an important aspect of egg production. Chickens need around 14 hours of light each day to maintain optimal egg production. Obviously optimal sunlight isn't always possible depending on your location. This means you may need to provide additional lighting in the coop during the winter months, or if your coop does not get a lot of natural light. A good lighting system will help to simulate the natural daylight and keep your chickens active even during winter months.

Keep in mind if you are using a heat lamp during winter months that a power outage or electrical issue can provide quite a shock if the temperature suddenly plumets inside your coop. For this reason, we do not provide any supplemental light or heat in the coop during the winter.

Age Effects the Numbers

Another important aspect of egg production is the age of your chickens. Chickens start to lay eggs at around 18-20 weeks of age and continue to lay eggs for about 2-3 years. After that, their egg production starts to decline and can become unpredictable. So, it is important to keep track of the age of your chickens and replace them with younger birds as necessary.

If this is strictly a hobby for you and your family or you concider your chickens pets, you may be willing to feed unproductive hens. If you plan on selling your eggs or also want to maximize the cost of your backyard flock, culling birds at 2-3 years old will be necessary.

Health

Finally, it is essential to monitor your chickens’ health and take appropriate action if you notice any issues. Chickens can suffer from various diseases and parasites that can affect their egg production. Regular observation and preventative measures can help to keep your chickens healthy and productive. Keep an eye on their comb, wattle and legs, if they look pale or swollen, it could be a sign of anemia or other health issues.

Bonus: Keeping track

A bonus tip for maximizing your egg production is to make sure you are actually tracking the production of you backyard flock. You can use something as simple as a paper chart pinned to the inside of your coop or a tool like Flock Nerd that allws you to log eggs and expenses digitally. Flock Nerd is a free web app that you can use on your phone, tablet, or computer to log eggs and expenses. It automatically turns that raw data into statistics and charts you can use to make informed decisions about your flock, see how your egg production changes overtime, and identify trends that might indicate a problem with your birds.

You can sign up for a free account at FlockNerd.com.

In conclusion, maximizing egg production in your backyard chicken flock requires a combination of the right breeds, a well-balanced diet, a comfortable and clean environment, and proper health management. By following these tips, you can enjoy fresh eggs from your own backyard flock all year round. With the right care and management, your backyard flock can be a reliable source of eggs for your family and friends. Remember, happy and healthy chickens are more productive, so make sure to give them the best care possible.