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An Egg-splosion this Spring!
Have your chooks been on a bit of winter holiday when it comes to laying eggs? In Octoberwe’ve seen an egg-plosion ofeggs from chooks around Brisbane.
With the warmer weather and longer days nature has given the message for your chooks to lay more eggs.Join the team at Brookies as we explore how you can get thevery besteggs, making sure your chooksstay healthy and happy as the summer heat approaches.
With a chook producing an egg every 24 – 36 hours during peak laying season.A hen requires at least 14 hours of sunlight an hour andhigh-quality layer feed tomeet their high nutritional demands.
Choosing a good layer mash
A good layer mashisn’t just chicken food;it’s scientifically balanced for maximum egg production.When choosing a layer mash for your chooksthere’s a few things to look for.
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Both the egg white and a chicken's feathers aremainly made of protein. In Spring your chooks need extra protein to help them recover from their winter moult and to help produce eggs daily.
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A chicken requires between 4 & 5 grams of calcium a day to ensure the eggs they produce have a strong shell. When your chickensdon’t have enoughcalcium, their bodies will take calcium from their bones to help produce a stronger shell.
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A good layer mashcontains all the essential vitamins and minerals to help your chooks produce the best eggs possible.
We recommend giving your chooks Brookies Layer Mash.Our very own blend of layer mashthathas 16% protein with cracked and milled ingredients to encourage their natural foraging behaviour.
A Spring Clean
With Spring comes warmer more humid weather which is a breeding ground for pests. Now isa great time for a spring clean of your chooks, keeping them stress free and health.
Giving the coop a clean.Empty old bedding, scrape down anyperches and scrub the nesting boxes with a pet friendly cleaner. A clean nesting box encourages more eggs!
In the warm weather,it’s important to stay on top of mites and lice. Inspect your chooks and the coop for any mites or lice and treat with dusting spray if necessary.
Now is alsoa great time to refresh the floor and nesting boxes with some fresh, dry bedding. We recommend using wood shavings for odor control andits ability to absorb moisture.
Chicken Broodiness
Laying eggs can bring out that maternal instinct in your chooks. Broodiness is when your chook stops laying and dedicates herself to sittingon the eggs, even ifthey’re unfertilised.It’s natural behaviour but stops egg laying. To discourage your chickens from sitting on the eggs we recommend collecting eggs at least twice a day.
Prepare for Summer
Whilewe’re loving the Spring weather,it’s not long until the summer heat will be here. Brisbane’s summer heat can stress your chooks out which will cause them to stop laying eggs.Here’s a few things to help prevent your chooks from feeling the heat.
Does your coophave good ventilation? Make sure that all vents are clear of obstructions and if needed addadditional wire vents high up to help the rising heat to escape.
Make sure that your chickens have access to all day shade, shade cloth is a great solution if natural tree coverdoesn’t do the job.
In the heat your chooks drink significantly more water. Givingthem access to cool, clean drinking water isa must to keep your chooks happy and healthy. We recommend having an electrolyte supplement on hand for the first fewscorching summer days.
With these tips, your chooks are going to be in the best position to produce fresh, delicious eggs throughout the season. If you haveany questions or are wanting to expand your featheredflock, comedown and visit your local chicken experts at Brookies.