At Hightop Poultry Cage, we’re not just manufacturers—we’re poultry farming solution providers. With over 20 years of experience designing and supplying high-quality layer cages, we’ve helped farmers in over 50 countries achieve higher productivity and lower mortality rates through smart equipment, proper house design, and sound poultry management practices.
One of the most important—but often overlooked—elements of successful egg production is understanding laying hens’ daily feed and water consumption. These values vary depending on age, temperature, egg production rate, season, and feed quality. Misjudging these needs can lead to poor egg output, increased disease risk, and unnecessary costs.
In this post, we’ll break down what you need to know about how much water and feed laying hens eat and drink each day, and how to make informed decisions based on real data and conditions.
1. Daily Feed Intake of Laying Hens
Feed consumption in layers changes with age, development stage, environment, and production level.
⏳ By Age Stage:
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0–10 days old chicks: Feed intake = age (in days) + 2 grams/day
Example: At 5 days old → 5 + 2 = 7 grams/bird/day -
11–20 days old: Feed intake = age + 1 gram/day
Example: At 15 days → 15 + 1 = 16 grams/bird/day -
21–50 days old: Feed intake = age in grams
Example: At 30 days → 30 grams/bird/day -
50–150 days old (growing stage): Feed = 50 + (age − 50) ÷ 2
Example: At 100 days → 50 + (100−50) ÷ 2 = 75 grams/day
🥚 Laying Period (After 150 Days):
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Before peak production: 100–125 grams/day
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After peak production: 125–165 grams/day (even higher in cold weather)
🧾 Other Influencing Factors:
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Feed energy level: Higher energy feed = less consumption; low-energy feed = more needed
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Temperature impact:
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At 23–34°C: Feed intake drops 1–1.5g per °C
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At 32–36°C: Reduction can be up to 4.2g per °C
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That’s why it’s important to use cooling systems like water curtains or ventilation fans, which we offer as part of our turnkey poultry house solutions.
2. Daily Water Intake of Laying Hens
Water intake is just as crucial as feed—and even more sensitive to temperature changes.
💧 General Water-to-Feed Ratios:
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At 20°C (normal): Water intake = 2 × feed intake
Example: If feed = 110g → water = 220 ml/day -
At 35°C (summer): Water intake = 3–5 × feed
Example: If feed = 100g → water = 450 ml/day
🥚 Based on Egg Production Rate:
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At 50% egg rate: 170 ml/day
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Add 12 ml per 10% increase
Example: 80% egg rate → 170 + (3 × 12) = 206 ml/day
📆 Seasonal Water Needs:
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Winter: ~100 ml/hen/day
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Spring/Autumn: ~200 ml/hen/day
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Summer: ~300 ml/hen/day or more
🐣 By Age Group:
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1–6 weeks: 20–100 ml/day
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7–12 weeks: 100–200 ml/day
Also, high-salt or high-protein feed can increase water consumption, so always balance the formula accordingly.
3. Practical Example
Let’s calculate for a layer hen at 25°C with 80% egg production rate:
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Feed intake: ~110 grams
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Water intake: 110g × 2 = 220 ml/hen/day
Now, for the same hen in summer at 35°C, where feed drops due to heat:
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Feed intake: ~100 grams
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Water intake: 100g × 4.5 = 450 ml/hen/day
This shows how critical it is to maintain optimal temperature through ventilation and cooling systems.
4. Key Considerations for Water and Feed Management
At Hightop, we help clients build layer chicken houses with automated feeding and drinking systems, ensuring consistency and reducing labor. But even with automation, knowing the target intake helps you:
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Adjust feed formulas by season
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Monitor for abnormal water usage (sign of disease like renal bronchitis)
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Design water supply systems with proper flow and pressure
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Prevent underfeeding and nutrient deficiency
Also, remember that water quality matters. Laying hens prefer cool, clean water at 16–19°C. Circulating water systems can help in summer to prevent heat stress and maintain production.
Why Hightop is Your Best Choice
At Hightop Poultry Cage, we go beyond supplying equipment. We offer full turnkey solutions—from land and house design to production, delivery, installation, and post-sales support. Whether you’re a poultry equipment distributor or a large-scale egg farm, we tailor our products and services to your needs.
Just tell us your chicken quantity and land size, and we’ll design your layer chicken house for optimal performance—including environmental control systems, automatic feeders, and drinkers that match the birds’ real needs.
Need help planning your poultry project? Contact Hightop Poultry Cage today—your trusted partner for sustainable egg production.
