How to feed backyard laying hens

As soon as your baby chicks are fully feathered and mature, past 8 weeks, you can integrate them with any other mature laying hens you may have. Mature laying hens need a complete feed diet that consists of 16 to 18% protein. A complete laying hen feed may be in the form of a crumble, mash or pellet at 1/4 lb per hen per day.  If you wish to have 100% organic eggs, you will need to feed 100% organic feed. Laying hens need more protein, as do senior hens or molting hens.

Protect your feed from any water or moisture that may cause mold and avoid allowing feed to build up on the ground so as not to attract rodents.

Treats may be fed after laying hens have consumed their complete feed daily diet. You can offer treats in your hand or scatter on the ground. Treats may make chickens more friendly and they may supplement protein while providing additional healthy benefits depending on the ingredients in a recipe. Some helpful treat ingredients that are high in protein are: mealworms, dried river shrimp, whole wheat and alfalfa.  There are more ingredients with healthy benefits such as: oregano which may support the immune system, chili peppers may support fighting bacteria & deepen the yolk,  shrimp is also high in omegas, which results in nutritious eggs,  Chickens by nature will scratch and peck at the ground for additional protein and in search of a variety of ingredients but most backyards won't offer the variety that a free range area can. Your hard working hens will appreciate a variety of healthy treats!