The Effects of Low Proteins on Egg Production in Laying Hens

Because eggs are produced directly from a hen, the nutrition of the hen will have a direct effect on the egg. If you are interested in egg production, it is important to make sure that your hens are receiving the proper nutrition in order to produce high-quality eggs. The amount of protein a hen consumes affects the size and weight of an egg, as well as the offspring produced.

  1. Decrease in Size

    • Chickens that are fed a low-protein diet have been found to produce smaller eggs in comparison to those who are given large amounts of protein. If you want to produce large eggs, it is recommended that you give your hens feed that is high in protein.

    Decrease in Weight

    • There are other factors aside from size that contribute to an egg's weight. Therefore, a smaller egg does not necessarily mean a lighter egg. Egg weight can be determined by shell thickness, amount of egg white vs. egg yolk, and the amount of fat in the yolk. Hens that are fed a low-protein diet will produce significantly lighter eggs than those fed a high-protein diet.

    Decrease in Production

    • A low-protein diet will not decrease the amount of eggs produced by most hens. Hens typically lay one egg every day. In a few cases, hens on a low-protein diet will lay fewer eggs than those who eat high amounts of protein, but this is not common enough to be considered significant.

    Smaller Offspring

    • One of the most noticeable differences seen in hens fed a low-protein diet, is that their offspring is considerably smaller than the chicks of hens fed high-protein diets. Although the chicks eventually catch up in size as they grow, there are higher mortality risks for smaller chicks vs. larger ones.