Egg laying is one of the main reasons people keep chickens, but it’s not always straightforward. In this section, you’ll find advice on egg production cycles, solving laying problems, encouraging hens to use nest boxes, and caring for backyard eggs.
Not sure where to start? Try Why Do Chickens Stop Laying Eggs? or How Often Do Chickens Lay Eggs?
How To Stop Chickens Eating Eggs: Practical Fixes That Work Egg-eating hens can be frustrating and costly, but in most flocks a few well-targeted, practical fixes can end it for good. From nutritional tweaks to nest-box design, I’ve seen these strategies work. Below, I lay out the causes, community-tested solutions and sensible prevention steps from…
What To Do With Surplus Eggs From Your Chickens When your hens are laying well, it’s easy to find yourself with more eggs than you can possibly use. Even a small flock can overwhelm a household once spring arrives and production peaks. I’ve often looked at a full tray in the kitchen and wondered what…
How To Tell If a Chicken Is Laying Eggs Wondering how to tell if a chicken is laying eggs? Whether you’re trying to confirm your pullets have started laying or checking if an older hen is still producing, there are a few reliable ways to spot the difference. Laying hens tend to look and behave…
Why Are My Hens Laying Soft-Shelled Eggs? It’s a bit of a shock the first time it happens. You reach into the nest box and instead of a normal egg, you find something soft and a bit rubbery, or worse, nothing but a burst mess. If your hens are laying soft-shelled eggs, it’s a sign…
How Old Are Chickens When They Start Laying Eggs? One of the most exciting moments as a chicken keeper is collecting your very first home-laid egg. But when exactly should you expect that to happen? If you’ve just brought home a group of young hens, you might be wondering how old chickens are when they…
Why Do Chickens Stop Laying Eggs? Egg production is one of the main reasons people keep chickens. So, when your hens suddenly stop laying, it can be worrying and frustrating. Understanding the reasons behind a drop in egg production is the first step to getting your flock back on track. In this post, we will…
Egg Incubation And The Right Time To Do It Hatching your own chicks can be a rewarding experience, whether you’re replenishing your flock, raising birds for specific traits or simply enjoying poultry keeping as a hobby. However, successful egg incubation depends on getting the timing, equipment and technique right. Before you begin: Only fertilised eggs…
Selling Eggs in the UK: What You Need to Know Can You Sell Eggs from Your Backyard Hens? Yes, you can sell eggs in the UK without registering as an egg producer if you keep fewer than 50 birds, However, you cannot sell eggs directly to consumers without registering as a commercial producer. This includes…
The idea that hens need a cockerel in order to lay eggs is a widespread misconception. In reality, chickens will lay eggs quite happily without a cockerel in the flock. Whether you’re keeping hens for eggs, companionship or both, it’s entirely possible to maintain a productive, healthy flock without ever owning a male bird.
How Often Do Chickens Lay Eggs? One of the first questions new chicken keepers ask is, how often do chickens lay eggs? While many breeds are capable of laying an egg almost every day, the actual frequency depends on a number of factors, including breed, age, diet, time of year and the bird’s health. In…