What is the recommended floor space for bantam adult laying hens reared on the floor?

The recommended floor space for bantam adult laying hens raised on the floor is 1.5 square feet per bird. This measurement is designed to ensure that each hen has enough room to move around comfortably, engage in natural behaviors, and maintain good health.

Bantam hens are smaller than standard laying hens, which allows them to manage with slightly less space while still ensuring their well-being. Proper space allocation is critical for reducing stress among the birds, promoting social interaction, and minimizing aggressive behavior. Ensuring that the hens have adequate space can lead to better overall productivity and can improve egg-laying performance, as well as the quality of the eggs produced.

Other measurements, such as 1 square foot or 2 square feet, either do not provide enough space for the hens to thrive or exceed typical recommendations for this breed, leading to unnecessary extra space that could otherwise be utilized for additional hens. Therefore, 1.5 square feet strikes the balance necessary for the health and productivity of bantam adult laying hens.