Chickens
& Eggs Best Egg Laying Chickens Learn about the most prolific egg layers
to maximize your flock's egg production. Buy Baby Chickens All egg laying chickens start as peeps,
and raising your own hens from the time they are baby chickens is a
great way to ensure they are gentle and familiar with you.
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About
Laying Hens A few laying hens can provide ample eggs
for the average family – plenty for breakfast, baking and even the
occasional quiche. Even if your family doesn't eat many eggs each week
currently, you may find that that changes when you have your own laying
hens and a fresh, steady egg supply from your own little flock. Hens
and chicks are a picturesque image, but if keep in mind that if you
plan to eat all your eggs, you won't see that familial scene in your
own barnyard.
It is often difficult to find hens
for sale simply because once people
put the effort into raising chicks they are loath to part with their
best
laying hens. If you don't want to raise chicks, or want eggs
soon,
it's best to buy pullets, which are young hens that are less than a
year old. You may find older hens for sale, but they likely won't lay
well and may be best for the stew pot. (See “how
can you tell if a hen
is old” to learn more.)
If you do find young laying hens that someone is willing to sell, the
cost will generally be about $8 to $15 depending on your location and
availability. When you first transition the hens to their new home,
they may stop laying for a few days or even longer. Thus it is best to
buy pullets that have not yet started laying in order to minimize
interruptions in their laying cycle.
While all hens lay eggs, there are several top egg-producing chicken
breeds to consider when purchasing your laying hens. There is no
particular breed that makes the best egg laying chickens for beginners,
but some may be more appealing to you based on coloring, egg color,
size and other aspects. When choosing breeds of egg laying chickens,
don't be afraid to pick a variety that you like based on its looks—in
the end, the chickens you choose are often a matter of taste in
addition to practical concerns such as laying statistics.
After acquiring or raising your laying hens, ensure that they have
clean, cozy laying boxes in which to nest. Bedding or straw should be
put into the boxes and changed when overly soiled. When a hen lays her
first egg she might not even realize what's happening and lay it as she
walks along. After a few times, she catches on and will begin to lay in
a more regular fashion. You can encourage her by putting a false egg
(such as one made of marble or glass) in her nesting area. She will
think it must be a safe place to lay an egg, and soon your laying hens
will be trained to deposit their eggs in the same spot. But keep an eye
out, as some renegade hens like to lay outside the nesting boxes or
away from prying eyes – and hands.
Raising laying hens is a fun adventure, and it can be quite satisfying
and
profitable too. Read more in Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens.
Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens
 Chickens The Chicken Health Handbook Keep Chickens: Tending Small Flocks
Easy Chicken Coop Building Choosing and Keeping Chickens 
Egg Laying
Chickens Book Store
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