Maintaining a balanced diet for hens

Chickens require a fully balanced diet which provides suitable levels of vitamins, minerals and quality protein. SPILLERS® Layers Pellets and SPILLERS® Layers Meal have been specifically formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of laying hens kept on free range or farmyard systems.

Here are few poultry keeping tips: 

• Clean fresh water at all times – drinkers (metal or plastic) are widely available. Try to choose drinkers that cannot easily be stepped in or knocked over, taking care to ensure that adequate water supply is always available. Like us, chickens can quickly dehydrate in warm weather!
• A source of additional calcium at times of peak production (oyster shell grit is a common choice)
• Insoluble grit needs to be provided at all times
• Feed mixed corn as an afternoon treat
• Offer fresh greens for your hens to peck at (Under DEFRA guidelines it now illegal to feed chickens kitchen scraps)
• Collect eggs daily
• Clean out the hen hutches on a regular basis and keep a look out for redmite in wooden hen houses
• Also keep an eye out for lice. If your chickens enjoy a daily dust bath you could mix louse powder in the earth.
• Make sure hens do not suffer from internal parasites such as worms.
 Maintaining a safe environment

Take care to ensure that your chickens are safe from predators such as foxes. Chickens love outside space to roam around but should be kept inside at night. A combination of wire mesh, wooden boards or electric fence can help to keep your coop secure (foxes can squeeze into small spaces and are very good at digging under fences!). Coops should be cleaned out regularly and according to DEFRA guidelines, should provide a minimum of 250 centimetres squared floor space per chicken, in addition to a nesting box (filled with shavings or similar) and a perch for standing/ sleeping. If not living ‘free-range’, your hens will also need an outdoor exercise space or ‘run’.