DID YOU KNOW?

Want To Raise Chickens For Fresh Eggs?
By Pierre Mouchette | Bits-n-Pieces

Remember, egg cleanliness starts in the laying box for those who raise their chickens to gather eggs.  Keep your coop clean and well-maintained, and the eggs will be safely coated in the natural protection the chicken provides in the laying process.  

Chickens go to the toilet when they sleep.  Be prepared for your coop's roosting bar or area to get nasty.  It must be cleaned regularly to avoid odor, rodents, and insects.  Airborne bird waste is offensive and could make you sick.  Tend to this task with a long-handled tool such as a hoe.  Dirty nesting boxes can encourage your chickens to lay outside the box.  Carefully review the laying boxes' conditions and remove any soiled bedding.  Apply fresh bedding as needed.
 
Healthy, Happy Chickens
Eggs will be developed and laid by the hen over 25 hours.  Look carefully at the egg's condition for any malformations or color variations as you collect them.  Shells with blood indicate that the hen may be under stress, such as suffering from bird lice.  The chickens could lay oddly shaped or small eggs if your coop is overcrowded or stressful.  If you find tiny eggs, do the egg float test, as these may be empty.  Occasionally an egg will break inside the chicken, and her body will strengthen the break with additional calcium, which leads to a banded egg.  Spotted eggs can be an sign of a poor diet. Continually monitor your chickens and eggs for signs of stress.  If crowded, they may turn on each other and fight.  Once a hen is injured, the other hens may attack and hurt her even further.
Ensure your hens have quality food, plenty of space, and regular light in the winter.