Pet Chickens – How To Keep Your Chickens Laying Year Round
Article by Paul Cernay
Keeping chickens for pets is becoming common these days, and having fresh eggs is a definite plus. Pet chickens are unique in the pet world because of their ability to pay for their room and board in fresh, healthy eggs.There are some environmental factors that can cause chickens to temporarily stop laying eggs. If you are aware of the causes they are easily remedied. Psychological StressOne thing that will cause pet chickens to not lay eggs is stress. Psychological stress can be caused by a trouble maker in the henhouse, or a sense of danger from predators. If you have a bully in the henhouse you may have to separate it from the other chickens. This happens most often when a new chicken is introduced to an established flock. If several hens stop laying suddenly, look for signs that a predator is coming around at night and scaring them. If this is the case, you may need to invest in some type of deterrent. Fox pee is readily available in farm stores, but you have to keep applying it on a regular basis. Another option is to buy battery driven “blinkers” that simulate the eyes of a predatory coyote or fox. These blinking eyes are very good at keeping skunks, raccoons, and other nocturnal animals away from an area.Physical StressPhysical stress can cause chickens to stop laying eggs also. This happens if they get sick, or are not getting required nutrients. Look for signs of diarrhea, lethargy, and make sure they are getting enough food and calcium. A chicken who is being bullied may not have opportunity to eat sufficiently. Supplement their normal chicken feed with cornbread, wheat bread, green leafy vegetables, ground cuttlebone (for calcium), and dandelions. All poultry need wormer. Untreated worms can kill your flock. You can buy appropriate worm medicine at your local farm store. It will give instructions on how to administer it.Cold WeatherIf it turns really cold outside it is common for egg production to decrease considerably. Sprinkling their chicken feed with powdered cayenne pepper will increase their internal temperature and egg production will increase. Just a teaspoon per pound of feed is usually sufficient. Aging ChickensDon’t expect your pet chickens to lay eggs all of their adult life. The normal life expectancy for a healthy chicken is 8-10 years. The egg laying will cease long before this. Egg laying ability usually slows at around 3 years, and stops at 4-5 years. Of course there are always exceptions, but don’t think your 7 year old hen is sick just because she is not laying eggs.
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