I've been raising chickens for a long time, so I know firsthand how important it is to ensure top-quality egg production. Over the years, I've gained some experience in this area, so I'm happy to share my knowledge with everyone.
What should be given?
There are a number of nutritional supplements for chickens that significantly impact egg production. Here's a list of foods that can be fed to increase egg production:
- Water, but purified water. If there's none or it's dirty, dehydration and poisoning occur, which is detrimental to egg-laying ability. My personal advice: use proper water. drinking bowls.
- Rusks. Fresh baked goods are off limits, especially those made with yeast, as they begin to ferment. However, dried bread is fine. I always soak the rusks slightly before feeding them. And be sure to avoid any moldy pieces.
- Pumpkin crops. They are cut and placed in the chicken coop.
- Compound feed: KK-1, PK-1, Premix.
All of this must be present in a chicken's diet.
What vitamins should chickens be given in winter?
During the winter season, laying hens especially need vitamin and mineral supplements (there are relationship). The list is the same as in any other season, but the amount added to the diet is slightly larger. This is because in autumn and winter, chickens don't consume fresh greens and other foods, which weakens their bodies. It's during this time that emphasis should be placed on food supplements, flour products, minerals, artificial vitamin premixes, and other available ingredients.
But not only is this useful, it is important to use them correctly containBecause birds don't spend time outdoors, they lack vitamin D, so if there's sun, be sure to let them out for a walk. Maintain a normal temperature during the visit and vary their diet frequently.
Preparing vitamins in advance
Some vitamins can be preserved, such as potatoes, carrots, and beets. Various herbs are also useful; I personally dry them in bunches and chop them up before serving.
Ready-made vitamin complexes
Today's market is overflowing with a variety of vitamin premixes. They come from a variety of brands and contain all sorts of vitamin complexes. But the following are especially important for laying hens:
- Undevit.
- Vittri.
- Chiktonik.
- Ryabushka.
- Vitvod.
- Trivit.
They greatly improve the immunity and productive properties of the chicken body.
Natural sources of vitamins in winter
The following products must be included:
- chalk and shell;
- limestone and eggshell;
- wood ash and hard-boiled eggs;
- sand and snow.
I always crush the shells and clams, but I add the chalk in chunks—the chickens chip it out themselves. They also sharpen their beaks at the same time.
Other food
The diet should consist of the following foods:
- various grains;
- fortified compound feed;
- dry grass;
- parsley, dill, lettuce and other greens that can be grown at home;
- fish, meat, bone and other flour;
- needles;
- boiled potatoes;
- chopped root vegetables and cabbage.
I always follow these rules and recommend them to everyone. They really work, so now my hens have no problems with egg production, and dimensions eggs too. By the way, for different breeds there are different indicators by the number of annual eggs laid.