14 Ways to Encourage Hens to Lay Eggs Inside the Nesting Box

#	Methods
1	Add dried herbs to nesting boxes
2	Provide the right number of nesting boxes
3	Make sure the nesting boxes are the right size
4	Locate the nesting boxes in a quiet, dark place
5	Nesting boxes should be at the right level
6	Add curtains
7	Proper nesting material
8	Keep nesting boxes clean
9	Block off unwanted areas of laying
10	Keep the coop cool
11	Have nesting boxes available around 16 weeks of age
12	Don’t let hens free range until the afternoon
13	Use “fake” eggs
14	Place hen in nesting box

Roosting Bar Calculator

Number of Chickens	Feet of Roosting Bars Needed
	0 ft

Roosting Bar Space for Adult Chickens

# Adult Chickens	Roosting Bar Space
4	4 Feet – 1, 4′ Bar or 2, 2′ Bars
6	6 Feet – 1, 6′ Bar or 2, 3′ Bars
8	8 Feet – 2, 4′ Bars
12	12 Feet – 2, 6′ Bars or 3, 4′ Bars or 4, 3′ Bars
24	24 Feet – 2, 12′ Bars or 3, 8′ Bars or 4, 6′ Bars or 6, 4′ Bars or 8, 4′ Bars

How much roosting space do adult chickens require?

Chicken Coop Ventilation Calculator

Length of Chicken Coop (ft): Width of Chicken Coop (ft): Calculate Ventilation

How to Figure Out How Much Ventilation is Needed for a Chicken Coop

4. Chicken Coop Size Calculator

How big should my chicken coop be?

An adult size chicken needs a minimum of 4 square feet of inside coop space. Bantams require 2-3 square feet of inside coop space.

“Chickens that lack sufficient space have a difficult time or cannot carry out normal “chicken behavior,” such as pecking and scratching the ground, foraging, dust bathing and perching. This can lead to pecking of flock mates and could also lead to cannibalism. “
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Why are My Chickens Pecking Each Other? 7 Important Reasons

5. Chicken Run Space Calculator

How big of a chicken run do I need?

A full size chicken requires a minimum of 10 square feet of outside coop space. Bantams and younger chickens require a minimum of 8 square feet of outdoor coop space

Chicken Food and Water Calculators

6. Amount of Chicken Feed Calculator

Use the Chicken Feed Calculator below to find out how much chicken feed you should be feeding your flock each day.

How much should I feed my chickens each day?

In order to raise the healthiest chickens possible, they need to be provided with about 1/2 cup of a nutritionally balanced layers feed each day. If you choose to sprout or ferment the feed, you will notice that you will not need to feed them quite as much.

Side Note: Bantam chicken breeds will eat a little bit less and the larger breed chickens, such as the Jersey Giant and Giant Cochins, will require a little bit more.

Can you give chickens too many treats?

Chicken’s love treats! After providing the appropriate amount of your flocks regular feed, it’s ok to offer them treats, in moderation.

7. Chicken Table Scraps(Treats) Calculator

Use the Chicken Table Scraps Calculator below to find out the maximum amount of treats your should be giving your chickens each day.

It is completely safe to feed your chickens table scraps as long as you follow these guidelines:

1. Offer regular feed first.
2. Table scraps should not exceed 10% of daily food intake.
3. Know what foods are poisonous foods to chickens.
4. Avoid sugary, salty or moldy foods.
5. Consider fermenting your feed to increase the nutrient content.

Following these guidelines will result in happier, healthier and more productive chickens!

It’s important that chickens fill up with nutrients that they need the most. Most chickens will go for the table scraps first, so make sure they are finished with their main course before offering other foods.

If you are looking to raise healthy chickens, just make sure that the treats don’t constitute more than 10% of their daily diet. For an adult chicken, this comes out to about 1 TBS of “treats” each day.

8. Number of Chicken Feeders Calculator

How Many Chicken Feeders Do I Need for My Flock Size?

As a general rule of thumb, it is best to provide at least one feeder per 12 chickens. Any less than this and it can create pecking and fighting as they will compete for food.

If you have overly dominant chickens, it will help to have more feeders.

9. Chicken Water Need Calculator (Not During Extreme Heat)

Use the Chicken Daily Water Needs Calculator below to see how much water you need to provide your flock each day. This is a MINIMUM.

How much food and water do my chickens need?

The amount of food and water that you will need to give depends upon the size of your flock. Here is a good reference chart:

Chicken Feeding and Watering Chart

#	HOW MUCH FEED/DAY	HOW MUCH WATER/DAY (Average/Hot Day)
1	1/4 LB	1 PINT (2 CUPS) / 2 PINTS (4 CUPS)
4	1 LB	1/2 GALLON / 1 GALLON
6	1 1/2 LBS	3/4 GALLON / 1.5 GALLONS
8	2 LBS	1 GALLON / 2 GALLONS
12	3 LBS	1.5 GALLONS / 3 GALLONS

Provide your chickens with fresh, clean water on a daily basis. It is much better for their health. They instinctively know this and will drink more of it!

10. Chicken Water Needs Calculator During HOT Weather

Use the Hot Weather-Chicken Water Needs Calculator below to see how much water your flock needs each day during extreme heat.

How much water does a chicken drink during a hot day?

Chickens will drink up to twice the amount of water during a hot day. It’s best to provide more than enough water and to have several different drinking stations.

Ideas for Making Sure Your Chickens Have Cool, Fresh Water

• Change their water frequently throughout the day.
• Have extra water sources available and put them around their coop.
• Place their water in the shade.
• Add ice cubes to their water.
• If topping their water off with the garden hose, make sure that it is cold water and not the hot water from the hose sitting out in the heat.

11. Number of Chicken Waterers Calculator

How Many Chicken Waterers Do I Need for My Flock Size?

As a general rule of thumb, it is best to provide at least one waterer per 12 chickens. Any less than this and it can create pecking and fighting as they will compete for water.

If you have overly dominant chickens, it will help by having more than one.

If you only have one chicken waterer and it gets knocked over, your flock is left without water until you can replenish it.

Chicken Egg Incubation and Hatching Calculators

12. Chicken Egg Incubation Lockdown Date Calculator

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What day do you stop turning eggs in the incubator?

When hatching chicken eggs, lockdown occurs on day 18 of incubation and continues until the chicks hatch. During this time, you stop turning the eggs(or remove the automatic turner), raise the humidity level and keep the incubator closed until all the chicks have hatched.

If you see a “ring of death” during candling, you can discard them right away. The “ring of death” is a blood ring that develops when previously developing embryo dies. It is the blood vessels decomposing and forming a circle or “ring” that floats at the top of the egg.

If you are on the fence about any eggs being viable, it’s ok to wait until day 14 before discarding. But, if anything is oozing, definitely throw it out!

Use the calculator below to determine the date that you need to stop turning the eggs.

Why do You Stop Turning Chicken Eggs?

The reason that we do not rotate the eggs on day 18 is because the chicks need time to get into the proper position to hatch. By keeping the eggs still, the chicks are able to figure out which way is up and break through the shell in the right position!

13. Chicken Egg Incubation-Hatch Date Calculator

Using the calculator below, enter the date you set your eggs and it will tell you when you can expect to see chicks hatch!

When will my chicken eggs hatch?

Under optimal hatching conditions it takes 21 days for a chick to hatch in an incubator. If the temperature and humidity are not just right, it can cause the chicks to hatch earlier or later, but the hatch rate is not as good and the health of the chicks can be affected.

Slightly higher temperatures during incubation can cause the chick to hatch a day earlier. Slightly lower temperatures during incubation can cause the chick to hatch a day later. In both situations, the hatch rate is less and the risk of malformations is greater.

14. Chick Brooder Temperature Calculator

Use the calculator tool below to keep track of how warm your little chicks need to be.

Keeping Baby Chicks Warm Enough

When raising baby chicks without a mama hen, it is important that you keep the brooder at the appropriate temperature until the chicks are fully feathered. Most chicks are fully feathered by 6 weeks of age.

The required brooder temperature for chicks changes week by week. For healthy and thriving baby chicks it is very important to provide the appropriate temperature.

How do I Know if My Baby Chicks are Warm Enough?

Signs Baby Chicks Are Too Cold or Too Hot

Signs Baby Chicks Are Too Cold	Signs Baby Chicks Are Too Hot
All huddled under heat source	Panting with mouth open
Chirp non-stop	Are far away from heat source
Shivering	Lethargic (weak)
Eyes closed	Eyes closed

15. Chick Age Calculator

Knowing the date a baby chick will be a certain age is important for several reasons:

1. Diet and Nutrition: Chicks have different nutritional needs at various stages of growth. For example, very young chicks need a high-protein starter feed, while older chicks transition to a grower feed.
2. Temperature Requirements: Young chicks need to be kept warm, with temperatures gradually decreasing as they age. Knowing their age helps ensure they are kept at the appropriate temperature to prevent stress and illness.
3. Developmental Milestones: Monitoring a chick’s age helps track its growth and development. This includes knowing when they should start feathering, roosting, or moving to a coop.
4. Vaccination and Health: Certain vaccinations and health treatments are administered at specific ages. Knowing the chick’s age ensures timely and effective disease prevention.
5. Behavior and Socialization: Chicks of different ages have different social needs and behaviors. Understanding their age helps provide appropriate social interaction and care, which is especially important if integrating with older birds.

Chicken Health Calculators

16. Apple Cider Vinegar to Water Calculator

I like to add apple cider vinegar to my flocks chicken water one week out of each month. This not only is healthy for their gut, is a natural dewormer, but it also helps to keep algae growth down!

How much apple cider vinegar do I add to my chickens’ water?

Use the Apple Cider Vinegar to Water Calculator below to see how much Apple Cider Vinegar to add to your size chicken waterer.

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It’s true. Chickens will drink water that is dirty, even if it is filled with their droppings and bedding. Dirty water can contain bacteria and algae and can be harmful to your chickens.

They are more likely to contract diseases such as E. coli and Salmonella through drinking dirty chicken water.

17. Chicken Comb and Wattle Signs Calculator

What your chickens’ comb and wattle is trying to tell you….

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Changes in your chickens comb and wattle can tell you many things about them, including their health, sexual maturity and well being.

Everyday, take time to observe your flock so you are aware of any problems that may be going on.

The appearance of your hen or roosters comb and wattle is their way of telling you how they are doing. Listen to what they are telling you and if there is something going on, take care of it as soon as possible.

18. How Specific Herbs Benefit Your Chickens Health

What are the benefits of giving my chickens nesting box herbs?

1. Boosts Immune System

One of the key benefits of using an herbal nesting box blend is its ability to boost the immune system of your chickens. The following herbs contain natural antimicrobial properties that can help prevent and fight off common infections:

1. Rosemary
2. Fennel Seed
3. Chamomile
4. Peppermint
5. Parsley
6. Marjoram
7. Dandelion leaf
8. Marigold
9. Lavender

By exposing your chickens to these herbs on a regular basis, you can help support their immune system and keep them healthy.

2. Reduces Stress

Chickens, like any living creatures, can experience stress. This can be caused by various factors, such as changes in their environment or the presence of parasites and predators.

3. Repels Insects

Insects can be a nuisance for chickens, causing discomfort and potentially spreading diseases. Fortunately, these herbs have natural insect-repelling properties:

4. Improves Egg Quality & Quantity

The results of incorporating these natural herbs into your hens diet are the following:

• increased egg production
• better tasting eggs
• eggs that are nutritionally better for you
• thicker egg shells
• larger eggs
• deeper orange yolks
• healthier baby chicks

5. Natural Antibacterial Properties

The following nesting box herbs have natural antibacterial properties:

• Marigold
• Marjoram
• Peppermint
• Lavender

By using these herbs in the nesting boxes, you can help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and reduce the risk of infections. This is especially important for the health and well-being of your chickens.

6.  Improves Respiratory Health

One way to enhance a chickens living space is by incorporating nesting box herbs with respiratory benefits. These herbs not only add a pleasant aroma to the coop, but they also offer natural remedies for respiratory issues that chickens may face:

• Peppermint
• Lavender(loosens phlegm)
• Marjoram
• Rosemary
• Marigold(soothes mucus membranes)

When chickens inhale the aroma of these herbs, it can help improve their respiratory health and prevent respiratory issues.

19. What Breed Chicken Lays this Color Egg Calculator

Fun Facts About Chicken Egg Color

Why are chicken eggs different colors?

All chicken eggs begin as white eggs. It’s the genetics of the hen that determine what color egg it will become. If an egg is any color other than pure white, pigment was deposited into it during the development.

Breed Differences: Different chicken breeds lay different colored eggs.

For example, Leghorns lay white eggs, Orpingtons lay brown eggs, and Ameraucanas lay blue eggs. Some mixed breeds, like Olive Eggers, can lay green eggs

A chicken that lays brown eggs will always lay brown eggs, but at the beginning of the laying season may be a darker color brown and fade to a lighter brown toward the end of the laying season.

This is because the hen produces more of the pigment in the beginning of the laying season!

20. Chicken Quantity Calculator(Chicken Math!)

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What is Chicken Math?

Chicken math is a term used by chicken keepers to describe the often humorous and unexpected way that the number of chickens in a flock tends to grow.

It starts with a plan to get a few chickens, but due to various reasons like discovering new breeds, hatching eggs, or simply the appeal of baby chicks, the number of chickens increases more than originally intended.

Key aspects of chicken math include:

1. Unexpected Additions: The initial intention might be to get 3 chickens, but soon you find yourself adding more due to impulse buys or gifts from friends.
2. Lack of Self-Control: Many chicken keepers find it hard to resist adding new breeds or more chickens when they see them at a store or in a catalog.
3. Rapid Multiplication: Chicken math also includes hatching eggs and raising chicks, which can quickly increase the flock size.

Chicken math highlights the often uncontrollable and exponential growth of a chicken flock due to the enthusiasm and love for keeping chickens.

But, who’s counting, right?!😂