It’s Winter time and the days are getting shorter. It’s also much colder outside and your chickens are not earning their keep. The following is a list of 12 secrets that will get your chickens laying more eggs, rain or shine!
Nesting Box Herbs
- Increases egg laying naturally.
- Improves chicken health.
- Deters parasites: mites, lice, fleas & flies as well as mice, rats, raccoons, coyotes, opossums and more!
- On SALE!
- SHOP Nesting Box Herbs
12 Pillars of Increased Egg Production
If you’re trying to get your hens laying more consistently, focus on the basics first — then build a routine you can actually stick with. This quick chart is the “big picture” checklist I use in my own coop.
Add Herbs to Nesting Boxes & Around the Coop
A simple weekly sprinkle helps support a calm, fresh nesting routine.
Keep the Chicken Coop Clean
A cleaner coop supports comfort and reduces stress signals.
Keep the Nesting Boxes Clean
Clean boxes encourage steady laying habits and fewer “where did the eggs go?” days.
Provide the Proper Feed & Balanced Diet
Egg production is nutrient-demanding — consistency matters.
Feed High-Protein Treats
Helpful during molt or recovery — keep treats balanced, not excessive.
Provide Oyster Shell or Crushed Eggshells
Supports shell strength and helps hens “keep up” with laying demands.
Decrease Stress
Stress is one of the fastest ways to see a sudden drop in eggs.
Provide Fresh, Clean Water Daily
Hydration impacts everything — especially in heat or during peak laying.
Choose a Breed Known for Consistent Laying
Breed matters — manage expectations based on genetics and season.
Manage Broody Hens Appropriately
Broody time often equals “egg pause” time — plan accordingly.
Provide Artificial Lighting (When Appropriate)
Use carefully and consistently — and always prioritize flock well-being.
Spend Time With Your Chickens
Daily observation helps you catch small issues before they become big ones.
Want an easy nesting routine?
If you’re working on calmer laying habits and a cleaner coop rhythm, Nesting Box Herbs are an easy weekly add-on that fits right into your routine.
1. Provide a Variety of Herbs that Stimulate Egg Laying
9 Herbs That Support Healthy Egg Production
Nesting Box Herbs
- Increases egg laying naturally.
- Improves chicken health.
- Deters parasites: mites, lice, fleas & flies as well as mice, rats, raccoons, coyotes, opossums and more!
- On SALE!
- SHOP Nesting Box Herbs
2. Clean Your Chicken Coop
It’s important to keep your chicken coop clean. Aim for a basic clean-out at least weekly, with a deeper cleaning about once a month.
- Weekly: Remove wet spots and manure buildup, refresh bedding, and tidy nesting areas.
- Monthly deep clean: Strip bedding, scrub surfaces, and reset the coop so it stays fresh.
When chicken manure builds up, it can start to smell strongly of ammonia. That’s not just unpleasant — it can also discourage laying and is harmful for chickens to breathe.
3. Make Sure Nest Boxes are Clean
Hens are particular about where they lay. If their nesting boxes don’t feel “right” to them, they may stop laying altogether.
Nest boxes should be clean, comfortable, and fresh-smelling — never damp or dirty.
- Remove visible droppings daily.
- Do a full nesting box refresh weekly.
- Inspect for mites during every cleaning.
- Provide enough soft nesting material — hens prefer a cushioned place to lay.
If hens are sleeping in the nesting boxes, this habit should be corrected. Keep lower perches available (especially for silkies) to encourage proper roosting behavior.
A light sprinkle of Diatomaceous Earth in nesting boxes can help manage mites and lice. It can also be added to feed as part of a regular coop management routine.
4. Provide Proper Hen Feed
Most hens begin laying around 18–22 weeks of age. Some start earlier, others a little later — breed and season both play a role.
Once your hens begin laying, it’s time to transition them to a layer feed (pellet, crumble, or mash).
- Layer feed typically contains 14–16% protein.
- It is formulated to support consistent egg production.
- It also contains added calcium to help with shell strength.
Do not feed layer ration to young chicks. The calcium levels are too high for growing birds and may stress their kidneys.
In addition to layer feed, provide oyster shell in a separate dish. Do not mix it directly into their feed. Hens will instinctively consume the extra calcium only when they need it.
Oyster shell should never be offered to young chicks for the same reason — excess calcium can be harmful to developing kidneys.
5. Feed Chickens High Protein Special Treats
Provide high protein special treats such as mealworms, grubs, black oiled sunflower seeds (B.O.S.S.) and scrambled eggs. Yes, scrambled eggs. They are especially good for a chicken that is under the weather.
6. Provide Oyster Shell or Crushed Egg Shells
Chickens require calcium in their diet, but their needs change with age.
- Laying hens: Approximately 4–5 grams of calcium per day.
- Growing pullets: Around 2.75 grams per day.
This difference is why feeding age-appropriate rations is so important. Laying hens need extra calcium to properly form strong egg shells.
If you notice soft, thin, or easily breaking shells, it may be a sign that your hens need additional calcium support.
Crushed Egg Shells
A simple way to provide calcium is by saving your hens’ egg shells. Rinse them, allow them to dry completely, crush them, and offer them in a separate container.
Oyster Shell
Calcium can also be offered in the form of crushed oyster shell (pellet, flake, or grit size). Always provide it in a separate dish.
Chickens are very good at regulating their intake and will consume only what they need.
Calcium Needs by Age & Production Stage
| Stage | Daily Calcium Needs | What to Provide |
|---|---|---|
| Growing Pullets | ~2.75 grams | Grower feed only — no added oyster shell |
| Laying Hens | 4–5 grams | Layer feed + oyster shell or crushed egg shells in a separate dish |
| Soft Shell Issues | Often a calcium imbalance | Check intake, ensure separate calcium source is available |
Consistent egg production isn’t about forcing more eggs — it’s about supporting your hens through steady, predictable routines.
When light is consistent, stress is minimized, nesting boxes are clean, and nutrition is balanced (including proper calcium levels), hens tend to settle into a natural laying rhythm.
Small daily habits — fresh water, clean bedding, proper feed, and calm coop management — often make a bigger difference than drastic changes.
When the foundation is stable, egg production follows.
7. Decrease Stress
How Does Stress Affect Egg Production?
Stress has a direct impact on both egg production and egg quality. Hens thrive on routine and stability. When their environment feels unpredictable or unsafe, their laying rhythm often changes.
When a hen experiences stress, her body releases stress hormones that can interfere with normal egg formation.
- Fewer eggs
- Irregular laying patterns
- Thinner or weaker shells
- Changes in egg size
- Temporary pauses in laying
Common Causes of Stress in Chickens
Stress can show up as fewer eggs, noisy behavior, hiding, feather picking, or overall “off” routines. Use this quick chart to spot common stress triggers and correct them early.
Predators getting into the coop at night
Even a “near miss” can keep hens on high alert.
Neighborhood dog terrorizing them
Repeated chasing can disrupt laying and feeding.
Kids chasing them
Teach calm handling and “quiet coop time.”
Injury
Pain and pecking pressure can escalate quickly.
Illness
Early isolation and observation are key.
Overcrowding
Crowding increases pecking order conflict and stress.
Insect infestation
Mites/lice can cause irritation and poor sleep.
Lack of food or water
Even short shortages can disrupt routines fast.
Too hot or too cold
Temperature stress often shows up as fewer eggs.
As a backyard chicken owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your flocks’ needs are met, this includes their safety and well being. If you notice that their egg production has declined, find out the reason why and address the problem.
8. Provide Hens Clean, Fresh Water Daily
Provide hens with fresh, clean water daily to maintain consistent egg production.
Water should be available to your flock at all times. Without consistent access to clean water, hens will often reduce laying quickly.
During hot weather, access to cool water becomes even more important. If hens become heat stressed, egg production can slow or stop altogether.
Chickens that do not drink enough can also become dehydrated. In warmer months, you may need to refill waterers more frequently throughout the day.
9. Choose the Right Breed of Chicken
Certain breeds lay more eggs than others. If your goal is to have a lot of eggs, then you need to choose chickens that are bred for egg production (300+ eggs per year).
Some breeds only lay around 100 eggs a year and no matter how many of tips you follow, that hen will still only produce that amount.
Popular Chicken Breeds & Eggs Per Year
Egg counts vary by age, season, daylight, stress, and nutrition — use these as a general range.
| Breed | Eggs / Year | Production (Visual) |
|---|---|---|
| Silkie | 100+ | |
| Orpington | 160+ | |
| Rhode Island Red | 260+ | |
| Easter Eggers | 200+ | |
| Olive Eggers | 160+ | |
| White Leghorn | 280+ | |
| Star | 260+ | |
| Polish | 100+ |
10. Deal With Broody Hens
Broody hens do not lay eggs. When a hen becomes broody, her focus shifts from producing eggs to trying to hatch them.
If consistent egg production is your goal, broodiness will need to be addressed.
Some breeds are more prone to broodiness than others. Silkies, for example, are well known for going broody frequently. They make wonderful mothers and will often sit on their own eggs — or even their coop mates’ eggs — in hopes of hatching chicks.
There are several methods that can be used to manage broodiness:
- Remove the hen from the nesting box multiple times per day.
- Block access to nesting areas temporarily.
- For persistent cases, use a well-ventilated “time-out” pen to safely break the broody cycle.
11. Provide Artificial Lighting (When Appropriate)
When winter arrives and daylight hours decrease, egg production often decreases as well.
A hen’s reproductive cycle is stimulated by light. As natural daylight shortens, her body naturally slows egg production.
Many chicken keepers choose to add artificial light inside the coop during the darker months to maintain laying levels.
Hens generally need about 14 hours of light per day for optimal egg production. By supplementing light in winter, you are extending their perceived daylight and encouraging continued laying.
This is also why hens naturally lay more eggs in the Spring and Summer — longer days mean more light exposure.
12. Spend Time With Your Chickens
I like to add this tip because I truly believe that if you spend time with your chickens, you will recognize any problems they may be having and attend to their needs.
Chickens that have all their needs being met are happier, healthier, and more productive.
Taking time to sit by your chickens gives you the opportunity to notice issues within the flock that may need attention.
While hanging out with them, you may notice that their waterer isn’t functioning properly or that the hen house needs small repairs so predators can’t get to them at night.
Just spending time with your flock is not only relaxing — it can provide an escape from everyday stresses in your life.
