How many eggs do Kienyeji hens lay?
Dr. iCows’ Diary
Dear Dr. iCow,
What are the maximum eggs that Kienyenji chick lay?
Yours Sincerely, iCow Smart Farmer, Martin, Muranga
Dear Martin,
Hens start laying from about 18 to 20 weeks of age, at this age 5% start laying, and 10% start laying @21 weeks of age. At 26 weeks to 30 weeks of age laying of eggs is high and gets to a maximum. They continue laying eggs till they are 72 to 78 weeks of age.
During the first year laying eggs a Kienyenji hen may reach a peak of about 250 to 280 eggs. This number decrease with age. A hen can lay eggs as long as her productive lifetime allows. With age they tend to slow down. Kienyenji laying hens like to sit on their eggs, an instinctive behavior called broodiness.
If you are out to sell eggs, there is loss of production during this period of 21 days. Broodiness can be discouraged by; changing the environment of laying boxes, e.g. increasing the amount of light and frequent collection of eggs. Avoid dipping the broody hen in cold water. Follow vaccination program to protect your birds from epidemic chicken diseases.
The health of the birds and their egg laying depend on strict farm sanitation, hygiene, good feeding with free access to clean soft drinking water, good care and management.
Thank you.
Your friend and advisor, Dr. iCow