Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
natural cycle of their yearly process. In northern climates with shorter days, artificial lighting might
help extend the laying season. Focusing on breeds that are winter-hardy and tend to lay better on a
year-round basis can help backyard farmers in these regions keep a steadier supply of eggs.
As your flock ages, your egg production will naturally taper off. Bring in new baby chicks each
year, or every other year at the most, to keep your laying flock healthy. In the backyard flock with
broody hens, this can be as simple as letting one of your hens “go setting” and hatch out a few
chicks each year.
We separate the brood hens from the rest of the flock. This pen may seem small, but a broody hen
rarely leaves the nest and wants a close, private-feeling space. The tarp can cover the front during a
storm, and the pitched roof sheds light rain without trouble.
For details about building a simple brood box, see Appendix A.
There are as many ways to tell if a hen is laying well as there are farmers. One of the most con-
sistent ways I've used to really tell, is to check the space of the pubic bones. Pick up your hen and
find the two pubic bones just above the vent. Press your fingers into the soft space between the two
pubic bones—if the bones are two or three finger widths apart, that's a good sign of a consistent
layer, as nonlaying hens will generally have close pubic bones.
With a small mixed-breed flock, it is very likely you will learn which hens are laying simply by the
color of the shells. Each egg may have a distinction that makes it easy to tell them apart. Obviously,
if your eggs are more uniform or your flock is large that isn't possible. One backyard farmer we
know chooses a different breed of chicken each year so he can tell the production levels according
to the color of the eggs. Generally speaking, by the third year of life even the most consistent
breeds won't produce enough to justify the cost of feed.
Collect your eggs once a day at a minimum, twice a day if possible. Brush off any loose straw
and store the eggs in the refrigerator right away. They will store longer if you don't wash them. If
you wash the eggs you will remove the bloom, a protective membrane covering that helps prevent
bacteria from getting through the porous egg shell. I only wash eggs that are soiled with droppings
and make sure to use those eggs first because they've lost a level of protection.
Eggs are the primary reason for keeping chickens in the backyard farm. With more and more cities
lifting restrictions against backyard flocks, there's no reason not to enjoy fresh eggs right from your
own sweet hens.
rOOSterS?
There is a myth that your hens lay better eggs if there is a rooster available. This isn't true. Your hens will
lay eggs whether there is a rooster in the flock or not. However, in the backyard flock a rooster will allow
you to hatch your baby chicks each year because the eggs will be fertile. A watchful rooster will also help
protect your hens, keep them together in one area, and help find forage for them.
