Keeping A Record Of Egg Production

I know... keeping records takes the fun out of it all, right? Perhaps a bit, but having a record of your layers really isn't too difficult and can teach kids some basic business skills. Besides, how else are you going to know how many eggs you can sell, or give away, or when the hens went broody last year, or how much those precious eggs are costing you... that kind of thing. If you can just keep it all in your head and remember, well, you're a better woman than I am! My brain is maxed out already!

A few months ago I decided to create a record sheet to contain most of the information that I wanted to know about my chickens. Things like when I let them free range, when I gave away eggs, sold some, or used a dozen. I wanted information about when I bought feed and how much I paid so I knew what my eggs were costing me. And I wanted to remember when a hen pecked an egg, went broody or molted. 

Okay, I'm a bit fanatical about it. But seriously, this information has been really helpful to have at my fingertips. The other day a gal wanted to know if she could be one of my regular customers. All I had to do was look at my production and I knew immediately if it was possible to add her. I'm hoping that it will remind me to watch the French Marans next July for broodiness!

And since I'm the 4H Poultry leader this coming fall, I guess I'd better set a good example. You think?

Here's a free download so you can use my new chart for your own hens. I need to make any corrections before I start teaching the kids this year so let me know what you think.