Laying hen farming

Laying hen farming is the heart of many poultry farms. A modern laying hen can produce more than 300 eggs a year over its cycle, provided housing, feeding and health are right.

Farming systems

The farming method sets the code printed on every egg in Europe:

• Code 0 — organic: free-range, organic feed, low density.
• Code 1 — free-range: permanent access to an outdoor run.
• Code 2 — barn: hens housed indoors, free to move.
• Code 3 — enriched cage: a system being phased out in several countries.

Breeds

Commercial strains (ISA Brown, Lohmann, Hy-Line) are selected for productivity. Hardy heritage breeds (Marans, Sussex) are popular in direct sales for egg quality and colour.

Feeding

A laying hen eats about 110–130 g of feed per day. The ration must be rich in energy, protein and especially calcium (around 3.5–4%) for strong shells. Clean water at all times is essential — a shortage cuts lay immediately.

Lay curve and management

Lay starts around 18–20 weeks, peaks above 90%, then slowly declines. Controlled light, stable temperature and low stress sustain output. Daily tracking of the lay rate quickly reveals any problem.