Hot take: letting your hens free-range all day is overrated for egg production

I know everyone in this group swears by free-ranging, but I saw a real difference after I kept my 12 hens in their run for a solid 3 months straight. From April to June last year, I got about 2 extra eggs per day compared to when they roamed the yard. I think it's because they weren't burning all that energy scratching around and hiding their eggs in the bushes. Plus, I lost fewer to hawks and neighborhood dogs, which was a bonus. The run is 10x20 feet with some dirt and straw, so they still got plenty of room. Anybody else notice a drop in eggs when they let their flock roam free?

2 comments

2 Comments

stellam898d ago

Right there with you. My girls slowed way down when they free-ranged too.

lisa8208d ago

@stellam89 yeah same here, once mine got to free range they turned into lazy little egg machines lol. Took a protein boost and locking them in the coop for half the day to get production back up.