How to Prepare for Increased Egg Laying: Essential Poultry Supplies April 14, 2025 Poultry Keeping Are your hens ready for the demands of peak laying season? Picture a clean, well-organised coop where every bird has access to the right nest box, feeder, and drinker—keeping stress low and egg production high. Many poultry keepers face issues like broken eggs, overcrowded nest areas, and wasted feed when egg laying ramps up. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential poultry keeping equipment needed to maintain a healthy, productive flock. Collins Nets’ essential poultry supplies include high-quality products to help you prepare, from nest boxes to egg collection tools—all built to support increased egg laying with ease. Understanding Peak Egg Laying Periods Preparing for increased egg laying starts with understanding what drives it, and there are several factors that influence when and how often hens lay: Seasonal Changes: Longer daylight hours in spring and summer naturally boost egg production. Breed: Some breeds are prolific layers, while others produce fewer eggs year-round. Diet: Naturally, diet is a huge factor. A balanced, high-protein feed is essential to support regular laying and strong shells. As egg output rises, so does the demand on your setup. Without proper planning, issues like broken eggs, poor hygiene, and stressed birds can impact productivity. Ensuring you have essential poultry keeping equipment in place—such as adequate nest boxes, clean drinkers, and reliable feeders—helps maintain flock health and consistent output. Essential Equipment for Comfortable Laying Conditions Creating comfortable laying conditions begins with choosing the right nest boxes for laying hens. Each box should offer enough space for a hen to settle without stress—ideally around 30cm square—made from durable, easy-to-clean materials like plastic or treated wood. Placement also matters; keep them off the ground, away from high-traffic areas, and in a quiet, dimly lit space to encourage regular use. Bedding is equally important. Clean straw or soft wood shavings provide comfort, absorb moisture, and protect eggs from cracks. Alongside this, ensure your hens have secure perches and calm roosting areas to reduce stress, which can disrupt laying patterns. With the right poultry supplies from Collins Nets, you can create a hygienic, stress-free setup that supports healthy, consistent egg production. Feeders and Drinkers for a Healthy, Productive Flock Feeding and hydration play a vital role in keeping your flock healthy and productive. Choosing the best feeders for poultry helps prevent waste, reduce competition, and ensure a constant feed supply—especially during periods of increased egg laying. Clean, easily accessible water is just as critical. Hens require plenty of fresh water daily to maintain high egg output, and poor access can quickly impact performance. Investing in quality poultry supplies ensures your birds stay well-fed and hydrated without unnecessary effort. Collins Nets’ poultry supplies include some great feeders and drinkers, such as: Ascot Feeder – durable, efficient, and easy to refill Automatic Feed Spinner – ideal for consistent, measured feeding Plasson Nipple Drinker Line Kit – hygienic and low-maintenance Watermaster 2E (Box of 10) – suitable for larger setups Poultry Feeders and Drinkers £13.20 inc VAT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE Ascot Feeder – 2.5kg Capacity The Ascot Feeder is a smaller outdoor feeder very similar to the Blenheim Feeder. It has a capacity of 2.5 kgs. SHOP NOW From £264.00 £276.00Price range: £264.00 through £276.00 inc VAT Plasson Nipple Drinker Line Kit Each 3 metre bar comes complete with 20 nipples and drip trays which is suitable for up to 500 chicks. *... SHOP NOW £228.00 inc VAT Watermaster 3E – Box of 10 Popular and reliable large automatic hanging drinker, comes with a hanging cord, 3 mtrs of water pipe and a saddle. The... SHOP NOW Egg Collection and Storage Solutions Preparing for increased egg laying means having the right egg collection solutions in place to handle the volume efficiently and hygienically. Using proper egg baskets and trays helps keep eggs safe, clean, and well-organised during collection—reducing the risk of breakage and contamination. Once collected, washing and disinfecting eggs should be done carefully using approved methods and products to avoid damaging the protective bloom. Clean, lukewarm water and food-safe sanitisers help maintain hygiene without compromising shell integrity. After washing, store eggs in a cool, consistent environment away from direct sunlight and strong odours to preserve freshness and quality. Cleaning and Maintenance Essentials Maintaining a clean environment is vital for healthy, productive birds—especially when egg production is at its peak. Nesting areas and feeders must be cleaned regularly to prevent the spread of disease, reduce stress, and protect egg quality. Using effective disinfection products and reliable tools makes the job quicker and more thorough. At Collins Nets, we provide essential poultry supplies that support this routine, helping keep your setup safe and hygienic. It’s also important to inspect your equipment regularly. Cracked drinkers, damaged nest boxes, or clogged feeders can disrupt laying patterns and put bird health at risk. Replacing worn-out kit with essential poultry keeping equipment ahead of the season ensures you’re not caught out. A clean, well-maintained setup is key to consistent egg yield and overall flock well-being. Final Preparations for Increased Egg Production As egg production ramps up, final preparations are crucial to avoid last-minute issues. Stocking up on nest boxes for laying hens, feed dispensers, drinkers, and egg collection solutions now ensures you’re ready for the demands ahead. Disruptions caused by missing or faulty equipment can affect laying patterns and flock health, so staying ahead is key. Keep a close eye on your hens—changes in behaviour, appetite, or appearance can signal stress or illness that may impact egg yield. And check out our full range of poultry supplies designed for peak performance. From nest boxes, the best feeders for poultry, and reliable drinkers to egg collection tools, everything you need to support increased egg laying is just a click away. Get Your Flock Ready for Peak Laying Season Ensure a successful laying season with our essential poultry supplies. High-quality nest boxes, feeders, drinkers, and egg collection tools—shop our poultry supplies today. As a family-run business with over 35 years of experience, we’re proud to be one of the UK’s largest stockists of essential poultry keeping equipment. Need advice or can’t find what you’re looking for? Give us a call on 01308 485422 or get in touch via our contact form. Further reading « Peak Season: Choosing the Best Feeders, Drinkers, and Gas Brooders for Game Birds April 8, 2025 Preparing Your Sports Netting for Spring » April 24, 2025