The Importance of Proper Nutrition
There’s an old saying, “You get out what you put in,” and this couldn’t be truer when it comes to feeding your hens. The quality, quantity, and taste of their eggs are directly influenced by their diet.
Hens should be provided with a high-quality layers feed starting at around 16 weeks of age. This feed should be available on a free-access basis throughout the year. On average, a hen consumes between 100–150g of feed daily.
Some believe that hens not currently laying, such as those going through a molt or younger pullets, do not require layers feed. However, these are critical times when a complete, balanced diet is essential. Providing high-quality nutrition not only supports egg production but also maintains overall health and helps hens grow new feathers annually.
Free-Range Feeding Considerations
Many owners choose to keep their hens free-range, allowing them to forage for insects, seeds, and greens. While this natural foraging contributes to their diet, a complete, balanced feed remains necessary to ensure all hens receive the essential nutrients they need.
Selecting the Right Feed
Not all feeds are created equal. If you consume your hens’ eggs or share them with others, it’s important to understand the ingredients and nutritional value of their feed.
A specially formulated feed provides all essential nutrients in the correct balance, eliminating the need for ingredient calculations. Dalton Supplies Layers Pellets offer a complete feed with essential vitamins, minerals (including calcium), and other ingredients necessary for producing high-quality eggs with golden yolks and rich taste. These feeds contain natural ingredients like grass, non-GM maize, and marigold petals, avoiding solvent-extracted ingredients such as soya or sunflower. Additionally, prebiotics are included to promote good digestive health.
Best Practices for Feeding Hens
- Provide clean, fresh water and grit at all times.
- Offer Layers Pellets
- Use designated poultry feeders to prevent waste and contamination.
- Clear away uneaten feed to discourage pests.
- Ensure adequate feeder space so all hens get their share.
- Avoid feeding kitchen waste, as it has been illegal since the 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreak.
- Limit treats—overindulgence can lead to health issues. Instead, focus on a balanced diet.
Treats: How Much is Too Much?
Many owners enjoy giving their hens treats, such as Dalton Supplies Super Mixed Corn, to add variety to their diet. While occasional treats are fine, they should only be offered after the hens have consumed their complete feed in the morning. This prevents them from filling up on treats and missing essential nutrients.
A good rule of thumb is to limit treats to about 20g (an egg cup full) per hen daily. Excessive treats can lead to nutritional imbalances, including too little or too much sodium, which may cause agitation, aggression, or digestive issues.
Additionally, scattered treats encourage natural foraging and can be helpful in training hens to return to their coop at night.
The Role of Grit and Water
Since chickens lack teeth, grit plays a crucial role in digestion. After food is stored in the crop, it moves to the gizzard, where ingested grit helps break it down. Always provide mixed poultry grit suited to the birds’ age.
Fresh, clean drinking water should be available at all times. Using containers that prevent contamination from dirt or spills is ideal, and having multiple water sources ensures all hens stay hydrated.
Why Choose Dalton Supplies Poultry Feeds?
Dalton Supplies feeds are formulated specifically for hens kept in free-range or non-intensive conditions, rather than for commercial production.
Key Benefits:
- Non-GM Ingredients: Only the highest quality, non-genetically modified ingredients are used.
- Vegetarian Society Approved: No fishmeal or animal by-products.
- Drug-Free Production: Manufactured in a drug-free mill with no antibiotics or coccidiostats.
- Enhanced with Omega-3: For healthier eggs with added nutritional benefits.
- No Chemical Solvents: No hexane-extracted ingredients like soya or sunflower.