It generally does not hurt a hen to lay an egg. Although, for young chickens new to egg laying or for extra-large eggs, it may be quite painful for an egg to be passed. Gasping noises and bleeding are some signs that the laying was painful. Some breeds of chickens are great egg layers, laying up to 300 eggs per year.
Why are chickens not laying eggs?
Chickens stop laying eggs for a variety of reasons. Hens may lay fewer eggs due to light, stress, poor nutrition, molt or age. Some of these reasons are natural responses, while others can be fixed with simple changes and egg laying can return to normal.
It’s pretty natural for chickens to molt during different times of the year. First-time chicken keepers may not know this, but a laying hen requires plenty of time out in the sunshine, or it may fail to produce eggs. Stress, they could be broody, improper diet, disease and discomfort, old age, and parasites could be helpfull too.
Another thing we asked ourselves was: when do chickens start laying eggs?
Technically chickens do not need nesting boxes. This is more for your convenience than theirs. Once your chickens are 16 weeks old you should start to transition them from their higher protein feed to a traditional 16% layer feed. Your chicks are soon going to be using a large amount of calcium daily.
Why do chickens only lay large and extra large eggs?
‘Those higher in sugar, like cake and biscuits, offer few nutritional benefits and are less filling than fibre-rich carbohydrates such as pulses and wholegrains, which also contain minerals and vitamins essential for health.’.
What are the 5 best chicken feeds for laying eggs?
Chickens enjoy all kinds of greens including grasses, leaves, plants etc. Fresh greens, tender grass clippings, table scraps, vegetables etc. are effective greens for your laying hens. Garlic or onions are strongly flavored vegetables. Avoid feeding your laying hens this types of vegetables because the flavor may transfer to their eggs.