“How Dalby Does It”: 7 All Natural Strategies to Help maximize your Chickens Egg Production
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Today I wanted to get into some specific ways you can maximize egg production from your flock NATURALLY. Here at Dalby we deeply care about the animals experience, they are loved and treated as pets . While other places may go to extremes to ensure they are getting tons of eggs year round, we simply set them up for success and let them live their lives. Here is How Dalby Does It.
Provide a Balanced, Nutritious Diet
- Why It Works: Proper nutrition is key to healthy egg production. A well-balanced diet rich in protein, calcium, vitamins, and minerals will ensure your hens have the resources they need to produce eggs consistently.
- What to Do:
- Feed a high-quality layer feed that includes at least 16-18% protein.
- Supplement with natural foods like kitchen scraps, leafy greens, oats, and seeds to provide variety.
- Offer crushed oyster shell or limestone to support strong eggshells and provide calcium.
Ensure Adequate Light Exposure
- Why It Works: Hens need about 14-16 hours of light per day to lay eggs consistently. In the winter months when daylight hours are shorter, this can be a challenge.
- What to Do:*
- Use natural light as much as possible. Ensure that your coop is positioned in a sunny spot.
- If necessary, provide artificial light for a few hours after sunset to mimic the long days of summer, but avoid stressing the hens by overdoing it.
Keep Them Stress-Free
- Why It Works:Stress can significantly reduce egg production. Hens need a calm and peaceful environment to feel safe and lay eggs regularly.
- What to Do:
- Keep your flock in a predator-safe area. Make sure they’re protected from dogs, hawks, and other potential threats.
- Avoid overcrowding. Each hen should have at least 2-3 square feet of space inside the coop.
- Provide plenty of social interaction and mental stimulation (toys, perches, and scratch areas).
Encourage Free-Range or Outdoor Time
- Why It Works: Free-ranging or allowing your chickens to roam outdoors can improve their overall health and stimulate natural behaviors, which can lead to more consistent egg production.
- What to Do:
- Let your chickens out to roam during the day in a safe, secure area. This provides them with a natural diet of insects, worms, and plants, and can reduce stress and boredom.
- If free-ranging isn't possible, create an outdoor run with grass, plants, and dust baths.
Optimize Coop Ventilation
- Why It Works: Good airflow in the chicken coop helps maintain a healthy environment, prevents respiratory issues, and reduces moisture, which can lead to fungal infections or mold.
- What to Do:
- Ensure your coop is properly ventilated by adding windows or vents at the top and bottom to allow fresh air to circulate without creating drafts.
- Ventilation is especially important in the winter when the coop can get stuffy and humid from the hens’ breathing and waste.
Fresh, Clean Water at All Times
-Why It Works:Dehydration can severely affect egg production. Chickens need access to fresh water throughout the day.
- What to Do:
- Make sure your hens always have access to clean, fresh water. Use waterers that keep the water clean and prevent contamination.
- Consider using a heated water bowl in winter to prevent freezing and ensure water is always available.
Introduce Natural Herbs to the Flock’s Diet
- Why It Works:*Certain herbs can support overall hen health and even boost egg production. Herbs have natural healing properties and can be great supplements chicken’s diet.
- What to Do:
- Offer herbs like parsley, garlic, mint, oregano, and thyme, which can promote digestive health, reduce stress, and help with overall immunity.
- Incorporate these herbs into their food or scatter them around the coop for them to peck at. **Garlic** is known for its antibacterial properties and is said to improve egg production.