5 Things to Know Before Raising Laying Hens
New to raising laying hens? Start with these 5 essentials: the right coop site, quality chicks, a clean coop, proper feed and regular vaccination.
As a practical, everyday source of protein, chicken eggs are a must-have food, whether at the market, in restaurants or at home as part of daily meals. Besides being easy to cook as a side for rice and other dishes, eggs are also a key ingredient in baking. All of this keeps market demand for chicken eggs high, and that high demand makes raising laying hens a promising business to get into.
Tips for Beginners Raising Laying Hens
Laying hens naturally have different characteristics from broiler chickens. They are raised specifically to produce eggs as the main product sold to the market. Their care must therefore help them lay as many eggs as possible, with the best results. If you are just starting a laying hen business, consider the following points before you begin caring for your hens.
- Choose the right coop location
Chicken coops usually give off a strong smell, both from droppings and from the chickens themselves. That is why a coop is best located far from homes, so the odor does not bother the neighbors. Choosing a coop site away from residential areas also helps prevent poultry diseases from spreading to the local community. Besides the smell, a coop that sits too close to homes can threaten the health of nearby residents, because poultry diseases spread easily.
Beyond protecting public health, raising laying hens away from homes also keeps the hens from getting stressed. Laying hens startle easily and are sensitive to noise, so it is better to house them far from residential areas.
Also read Raising Healthy, High-Quality Kampung Chickens
- Make sure your chicks come from quality stock
When choosing laying hen chicks, you will find several breeds of laying hens to raise. You can pick chicks directly at the farm; just make sure the farm truly protects chick quality, from the mating that produces them to how the chicks are cared for. Whatever breed you choose, make sure the chicks are healthy and free of any physical defects. At some good-quality farms, chick orders can include vaccination before delivery at the buyer's request.
- Keep the coop clean
A clean coop is an important factor in keeping chickens healthy. The coop must be cleaned and disinfected regularly so harmful bacteria and poultry disease viruses are fully killed, leaving the coop free from deadly diseases. Also make sure feeders and drinkers are clean so the chickens can absorb nutrients fully.
- Choose the right feed
Feed for laying hens must meet their daily nutritional needs so they stay productive and lay quality eggs. If needed, vary the feed so the hens get all the nutrients they need. When raising laying hens, feeding must also follow a regular schedule so the chickens neither eat late nor eat too early.
- Vaccination
Vaccinating chickens helps keep them healthy and less vulnerable to disease.
