About Layer Hens & Caring for Hens
Caring for hens is a farmer’s number-one job! Happy hens lay good eggs…
In New Zealand all commercial egg farmers abide by a series of high standards (outlined in the Layer Hen Welfare Code 2012) in their farming and caring for their birds.
Raising Chicks
Layer hens are specially bred in New Zealand under strict guidelines and biosecurity regulations.
Beak trimming of chicks often attracts concern and controversy, however, modern beak treatment is deemed a humane and beneficial farming practice.
- Beak trimming has been scientifically proven to minimise pecking and injury to other birds.
- Trimmed beaks do not interfere with the hen’s natural behaviours.
- Modern beak treatment is done in hatcheries by trained staff with special equipment. It is performed by laser and is painless, as similar to human fingernails, hens do not have nerves or a blood supply in the tip of their beaks.
Housing Hens
Shelter is a must for all hens for their protection from the elements, predators and their own comfort.
In commercial egg farms, hens may be housed in colonies, barns or free-range. Each method offers its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The best housing methods address the hen’s natural instincts, providing areas for nesting, perching and scratching.
Learn more about the farming methods and housing used in New Zealand egg farms here.
Feeding Hens
The layer hen diet consists of feed made from mainly wheat, maize, corn and soybean meal or bone meal. Hens must also have ready access to clean drinking water.
This exact composition of the feed will depend on the cost and availability of these ingredients to farmers, but must comply with the requirements of the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997.
Controlling disease and illness
Preventing disease and illness through good hygiene practices and regular monitoring is a key priority for egg farmers. Farmers will do daily checks on their hens to ensure they are in good, healthy condition and to identify any signs of injury or illness that need attention.
Antibiotics are only used in layer hens when prescribed by a registered veterinarian to treat diagnosed illness.
Keeping your own hens
Some Kiwis, with a bit of space and time to spare in their backyard, are opting to keep a flock of chickens at home. Like any animals, hens require care and attention and if you are considering doing this yourself, you will need to understand more about housing, enclosures (to protect the birds), feed options and avian health. For more information on backyard hen farming, the EPFNZ highly recommends New Zealand Lifestyle Block’s ‘How to care for your poultry‘ by Nadene Hall and Sue Clarke. You can visit their website and order the special edition magazine here.
If you wish to obtain chickens or specialty breeds, you can contact the Pigeon, Poultry and Cage Birds Association of New Zealand (contact details below) or visit this local website www.rarebreeds.co.nz
