Keeping laying hens has become a popular backyard project in recent years, with some kept as pets, others for egg production, and some a mixture of both. Regardless of their reasons, owners want to keep their birds healthy and productive, and those producing eggs for family use or for commercial sales like to see their hens deliver. A host of factors affects egg production, with diet playing a primary role. 

Egg production in domestic laying hens begins at 18-22 weeks of age, peaks 6-8 weeks later, and then slowly declines through the end of the production cycle. This cycle usually lasts around 12 months, after which they go through a rest period called molting. Productive hens can produce one egg per day during their peak.  Laying hens may live for several years, but their productivity will decline with age.

Optimum egg production requires a balanced and complete diet that matches the needs of the hens. A high-quality feed, such as Co-op Natural Layer Pellet (Item #114), should be the sole source of nutrition for best results. 

In the past 50 years, Cooperative Research Farms (CRF) has conducted roughly 200 experiments with laying birds. CRF has evaluated energy levels, protein and amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and various feed additives, and this research is formulated into the entire line of Co-op poultry feeds. Remember scratch, whole grains, table scraps, and other poultry “treats” are neither balanced nor complete and can disrupt the diet’s nutrient balance. Offer these items in limited amounts or avoid them altogether.

The production of eggs is regarded as a luxury by hens and only takes place when all other requirements have been met. Energy level of the diet is the primary determinant of the number of eggs produced. Energy is present as carbohydrates in cereal grains, and the concentrated calories are found in fats and oils. Birds will typically eat to meet their energy requirement when possible. If their diet is deficient in energy, they consume all they can physically hold, and egg production is limited accordingly.  This is the primary cause of poor results with economy-type layer feeds.

Protein is also necessary for hens to efficiently produce eggs. The amino acids that make up protein are required in specific amounts by layers and are provided by plant protein products such as soybean meal, distiller’s grains, and flax meal. However, desired levels of the most-needed amino acids may not be present in commonly available feed ingredients. Additional single amino acids may be added to compensate for deficiencies in ingredients.

Vitamins and minerals also play a role in egg production. Calcium and phosphorus are required in the proper amounts and in the right balance for absorption. Eggshell is composed primarily of calcium carbonate, and a hen will need between five and six pounds of calcium carbonate to complete a normal laying cycle. Lack of calcium or imbalance with phosphorus can lead to poor eggshell quality and diminish bone strength. Vitamin D is required for normal calcium absorption and utilization.

Water is also considered part of the diet, and hens need it in greater quantity than any other nutrient. A reliable estimate of water needed is twice the weight of dry feed consumed. Therefore, a bird consuming a quarter-pound of feed per day would need a half-pound of water. One gallon of water weighs slightly more than eight pounds. Water quality is also essential. A good rule of thumb is to ensure the water available to the hens is something you would be willing to drink.

Nutrition for laying hens can be a complex topic, but it is easily solved by providing them with feeds from a trusted source. See the folks at your local Co-op to learn more about their complete product line for optimizing egg production.