We regularly hear from poultry keepers dealing with the same frustrating issues—egg binding, odd-shaped or oversized eggs, soft or shell-less eggs, or hens that have stopped laying altogether.
If any of these sound familiar, don’t worry—there are usually simple fixes. With the right management, nutrition, and care, you can support strong egg production, good health, and happy hens.
1. Keep Your Coop Clean & Healthy
Good management starts with cleanliness. A clean, dry, pest-free coop is essential for healthy hens and consistent egg laying.
- Regularly clean your coop and control mites and insects
- Use quality bedding such as hemp or wood shavings(avoid bark)
- Use straw or hay in nesting boxes and keep it fresh and dry
- Add DE earth powder. when refreshing bedding for ongoing pest control
Avoid letting manure build up—this can produce ammonia, which is harmful to both you and your birds. If you can smell it, it’s time to clean out the coop.
For larger setups, a deep litter system can work well, allowing you to top up bedding and clean less frequently.
Clean your coop with Smite Professional and Smite Organic (Diatomaceous earth – or DE).
2. Feed Right (This Is a Big One!)
Nutrition is one of the biggest factors affecting egg production.
Hens will happily fill up on scraps instead of their proper feed—just like kids choosing lollies over real food. But this leads to poor nutrition and fewer eggs.
What they need:
- High-quality layer pellets or mash
- Minimum 17–19% protein such as Weston's high protein Layer Pellets.
- Animal-based proteins (like meat meal or blood & bone) for best results
Chickens aren’t vegetarians—they naturally eat bugs and worms, so their feed should reflect that.
Feeding tips:
- Feed ad-lib (constant access) if possible
- If confined, feed at least twice daily on a consistent schedule
- Use feeders such as Feed-o-matic Treadle Feeder to reduce waste and keep pests away
Free-ranging tip:
Keep hens enclosed in the morning so they eat their proper feed first. Let them out later—this ensures they get balanced nutrition before filling up on extras.
Want organic feed thats 19% protein? Try our organic premium layer pallets.
What About Scraps?
Scraps are fine—but only in moderation.
Think of them like dessert:
- Feed scraps at the end of the day
- Make sure hens have already eaten their proper feed
Avoid or limit:
- Raw potato, avocado, citrus peels
- Too much bread, pasta, or lettuce (low nutrition)
Better options:
- Silverbeet, cabbage, and garden greens
3. Always Provide Grit
Grit is essential—chickens don’t have teeth!
- Use fine to medium oyster shell grit
- Supports digestion and strong eggshell formation
- Provides calcium for laying hens
It’s normal to occasionally see small stones in droppings—this is part of the digestion process.
4. Feather Pecking & Bald Spots
Feather pecking is often a sign of boredom or nutritional deficiency—especially during high-demand times like laying or growth.
What helps:
- Ensure a high-quality, balanced diet
- Add a calcium supplement such as Agrivite Enhance short-term if needed
- Allow free-ranging where possible
- Provide enrichment like pecking blocks
Simple boredom busters can make a big difference:
- Hang cabbage or greens in the run
- Add things to peck, scratch, and explore
5. Add Apple Cider Vinegar to Water
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a simple way to support overall health.
- Aids digestion
- Provides minerals
- Helps support resistance to common issues like worms and coccidiosis
Choose a quality ACV with added ingredients like garlic, honey, and seaweed for extra benefits such as our Stockmans Friend AHE.
Final Thoughts
Healthy hens come down to a few key basics:
- Clean environment
- Balanced nutrition
- Consistent routine
- Proper supplements
Get these right, and you’ll set your flock up for strong egg production and long-term wellbeing.
