How to Raise Laying Hens for Eggs

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Decide what breed of chicken you want for your flock. White leghorns are popular laying chickens, but there are many other varieties to choose as well.
Step 2:
Plan a budget for your egg operation. Feed, water, heating bills and the cost of building space are just a few of the items to consider. This isn't such a big issue if you are just going to raise the laying hens for your own egg consumption.
Step 3:
Build a chicken coop or adapt an existing building. You need at least 3 square feet per layer. Provide at least one nesting box for every four chickens. Your laying hens also appreciate a place to roost.
Step 4:
Bring the chickens into their coop. Regardless of whether you bring in chicks or pullets, don't expect eggs the very first day.
Step 5:
Feed the chickens commercially-prepared chicken feed. Also, supply them with fresh water. Chickens also need grit to help them digest their food. Keep the coop clean at all times.
Step 6:
Watch the hens as they begin to lay eggs. Chickens lay eggs in a series, usually at least one egg every two days. If you don't find and retrieve their eggs from the nest, the chicken sets on the eggs to hatch them. Since you are raising these chickens for their eggs, you don't want them to set.
Step 7:
Keep track of the chickens that are not laying eggs. Feed is expensive. If the hen isn't doing her job, she might as well be your Sunday dinner.

Tips & Warnings

While it's not necessary, an egg-laying box that opens from the rear makes it easy for you to retrieve the eggs without disturbing the chickens.

More Puppy Pages

How to Raise Bantam Chickens

Bantam chickens are a nice way to enter the world of pet birds. Many people raise these feisty little birds for their variety of colors. The birds also supply plenty of eggs, although the eggs are extra small. Even though you can eat the meat from your...

How to Select and Feed Hens for Egg Production

For maximum egg production from your backyard flock, choose the same breeds of hens that large commercial producers use. Then you feed your hens correctly and maintain them with proper upkeep.

Chickens make a good 4-H project for people with limited space and younger children. The birds can also provide your family with meat, eggs and entertainment.

Peafowl, considered domesticated birds, are one of the most beautiful species of birds in the world. The India Blue Peafowl is the heartier of the peafowl species and lends itself well to domestic breeding. One can get started with the breeding process...

The Anconas chicken is a rare breed that originated near the Italian city of Anconas. It is a descendent from the early Leghorns and other earlier breeds. The Anconas has a mixed ancestry that has helped the breed develop into a hardy species. The Black...