Here’s a simple breakdown based on experience:
- Housing and Space
Give them enough space—ideally about 1.5 to 2 square feet per bird inside the coop, and more if you have an outdoor run. Good ventilation is important to keep the air fresh, but avoid drafts, especially at night. Clean the coop regularly and make sure it’s dry—dampness leads to disease.
- Nesting and Roosting
Hens like to lay in private, quiet spaces. Set up nesting boxes—one box for every 3 to 4 hens is enough. Put some straw or wood shavings in there. At night, chickens sleep on roosts (not on the ground), so install some perches a couple of feet off the ground.
- Feeding
Layers need a balanced diet with plenty of calcium for strong eggshells. You can buy layer feed at any agri-store—it’s usually a mix of grains, proteins, and minerals made just for egg-laying hens.
Daily Feed: Around 100–120 grams (3.5–4 oz) of feed per bird per day.
Calcium: Add crushed oyster shells or limestone separately if it’s not in the feed.
Grit: Chickens don’t have teeth—they need grit (tiny stones) to help them grind food in their gizzard.
Water: Always keep clean water available. They won’t lay well if they’re even a little dehydrated.
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- Extras and Treats
They love kitchen scraps like leafy greens, fruits, and some cooked grains. Just avoid salty, spicy, or moldy food. Too many treats can mess with their nutrition, though, so keep treats to 10–15% of their diet.
- Health and Cleanliness
Watch for signs of sickness: droopy behavior, pale combs, not eating, or strange droppings. Keep their area clean to avoid parasites and diseases. A bit of wood ash in a corner for dust bathing helps keep mites and lice away.
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