The artificial egg-laying box is a simple egg-laying facility commonly used in traditional or small-scale egg-laying operations for both laying hens and breeders; it relies heavily on manual management for egg collection, has a simple structure, and is cost-effective, making it suitable for small-scale operations or scenarios where cost efficiency is a priority.
The main structure
Box frame
The boxes are typically made of wood, plastic, or metal, and can be single units or multiple units (e.g., 3-6 units side by side); their dimensions are usually 30-40 cm wide, 40-50 cm deep, and 35-45 cm high, ensuring that the hens have ample space to lay eggs.
Entrance design
There should be an entrance (about 20-25 cm in height) on the side or front of the box, and some may be covered with curtains or semi-closed panels to create a private and shaded environment that will attract hens to enter.
Internal preparation
Soft padding materials such as sawdust, straw, dry sand, or rubber mats should be laid inside the box to minimize broken eggs upon impact, while keeping the box itself dry.
The structure of the bottom plate
It is mostly horizontal or slightly inclined (to facilitate manual egg collection); it is mainly made of anti-slip wooden boards or plastic boards to prevent eggs from rolling out of the box.
Key features
Simple structure and low cost
It doesn't require complex mechanical or electronic components, and the materials needed are readily available, making it suitable for small-scale farming (such as raising a few hundred to a few thousand chickens), with low initial investment.
Dependence on manual labor:
Eggs need to be manually picked up at regular intervals (usually once or twice a day), and the replacement of bedding and cleaning of the cage also require manual labor, which demands a certain amount of manpower.
Versatile adaptability
It can be placed flexibly according to the space of the chicken coop, and there are various material options (such as wood is suitable for normal temperature environments, while plastic is resistant to moisture), which can be adapted to various rearing modes including flat rearing and free-range rearing.
Weak controllability of the environment
There is no automatic temperature control or cleaning function, so the humidity of the bedding must be manually adjusted, and manure must be cleaned up to prevent moisture in the box from contaminating the eggs.
Key points for usage and management
- Reasonable density arrangement: 1 egg-laying box should be provided for every 4-5 hens to prevent hens from laying eggs outside the box due to insufficient boxes; the placement should be in a quiet and well-ventilated area, away from the drinking water and feed areas to reduce contamination.
- Keep the enclosure clean and dry: Remove feces and soiled bedding daily, and replace the bedding completely every week to prevent bacterial growth (especially during summer), thereby reducing the risk of contaminated eggs.
- Regular egg collection: Collect eggs at least once or twice a day to prevent them from accumulating under pressure and getting damaged, or being pecked at by hens.
- Guiding hens to lay eggs: After the new flock of hens is introduced to the coop, fake eggs can be placed inside the box to guide the hens to start laying eggs; if you notice that the hens are consistently laying eggs outside the box, you need to inspect the location of the box, the comfort of the bedding, and make necessary adjustments.
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