Talking to an allotment neighbour who has hens he was telling me that his hens are going off lay now. He thinks mine won't be laying until Spring. Which is pretty much what we expected. Thinking this gives us time to sort out and improve their living quarters, I need lots of tips on planning their nesting area. They live in a large shed which once had pigeons kept in it. I want to extend their area and give them plenty of nesting space. Do we make them compartments...all in a row? Do they like them high off the ground? There are 5 hens. We would like to have more at some point.
Don't froget the radio! Theyr'e supposed to like music while they lay.
Oh yes...that reminds me I have to put a wind up radio on my Christmas list!
Just make sure the perches are higher than the nest boxes or they will roost in the nest. One nest box per three hens is about average. Mine line up in the mornings to use the nest...its so cute.
Hybrids will lay most of the year if you are lucky, we have not seen any drop of in egg production yet this year even with the sub zero temperatures. I think their warm porridge mash in the morning might be helping, they certainly love it. My birds, white star, sussex star and Daisy Belle are said to average 320 eggs per year so fingers crossed.
The pure breeds, such as Light Sussex will slow off in winter but you should still get the odd egg now and then if you are lucky.
For housing, make sure the perches are not too high of the floor, 12 to 18 inches is fine. Any higher and larger birds can damage their legs/feet when jumping of the perch. The perch should also be rounded off on the top so it is comfortable for them to grip as they sleep.
Nest boxes can be as simple as a wooden box lined with shavings and placed in a corner. But hens prefer peace and quiet so a box with sides and a lid are better. The lid can also prevent fowling from perches that might be too close. If you can manage a bit of DIY it is not hard to add external nest boxes to the shed. A friend has done this and it makes egg collection very easy and gives the hens more floor space in the house. 12†square is plenty of room except for the large breeds.
HTH
Jerry
Thanks Ac and Jerry.
I'm making notes!
My girls have only come into lay recently, they lay each day. I think they will lay over winter this year as its their first year, but next year might be different.