Mother of six hens and zero roosters. Feed math and an egg log for your flock.
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The Only Hens tracker estimates feed for your flock. A laying hen eats roughly 1/4 pound of feed a day, so 6 hens go through about 10.5 pounds a week; a 50-lb bag lasts a bit over a month. Log eggs daily to watch your flock's average.
A common guideline is about 4 square feet per bird inside the coop and about 10 square feet per bird in the run. More is better. Crowded hens get cranky and peck each other.
Hens are usually switched to layer feed, often around 16% protein with added calcium, at about 18 weeks or when they start laying. Offer oyster shell on the side for strong eggshells. Follow your feed bag's directions.
Egg-laying is tied to daylight, and hens tend to lay best with around 14–16 hours of light. Shorter days in fall and winter mean fewer eggs. Spring is when production picks back up.
A common guideline: keep chicks around 95°F the first week and lower it about 5°F each week until they're feathered. Watch them: huddling under the heat means too cold, spreading far away means too hot. Happy chicks peep and spread out.
The CDC warns backyard poultry can carry Salmonella even when they look healthy. Wash your hands after touching chickens, eggs or coop gear, and don't snuggle or kiss your birds. Keep chicks out of the kitchen.