02/08/2023
So... I don't even know where to start... So much misinformation and fake news swirling around social media these last few days that I just want to clear up.
1. Feeding your chickens raw meat won't make them magically lay eggs in the winter. They need LIGHT to lay. Period. Without enough light, they'll slow down or stop.
After their first season, hens likely won't lay eggs after that in the winter unless you LIGHT your coop. It's the shorter days that cause the slowdown in production. It's the natural course that egg production takes.
Hens need light to lay. Period. So it's natural for them to slow down or stop once the days get short. They'll start up again soon. There's no magic fix - except more light.
https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2021/01/why-dont-chickens-lay-eggs-in-winter.html
2. Feed producers are not putting stuff in the feed to make your chickens stop laying. Hens lay through their first winter, then don't lay well following years. That's why your two year olds aren't laying this winter, not because there's something in the feed now making them not lay.
Edited to add: That's not to say that it's entirely possible that some of the feed companies have changed their formulas (which has been happening all along honestly, they'll buy more of whatever is cheapest when they restock their ingredients) or are using lower quality ingredients to save on their costs, which is why its really important to choose a feed brand you TRUST and that's good quality. It's not always the large, well-known brands that sell the best quality products either. Do some research, talk to others who raise chickens when you're choosing your feed brand.
All these new chicken keepers who got chickens two years ago are stunned that their chickens aren't laying this winter like they did last winter and they're believing all this nonsense on tiktok and other social media platforms. Thinking there's something shady going on. There's not. Trust me. Again, it's the natural course of things.
And for all of you who have decided to start mixing your own feed because you think there's a conspiracy by the major feed companies, you might want to read this first --> https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2012/10/mixing-your-own-layer-feed.html
And also this --> https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2020/08/homemade-chicken-layer-feed.html
Chicken layer feed needs to be pretty accurately balanced, its not just a thing of tossing some grains and seeds into a bucket.
3. The rising egg prices are not a government conspiracy. Eggs have been dirt cheap forever and between the avian flu and increased gas/feed prices, along with the new "cage free" laws in several states, the costs to produce eggs have gone up drastically. Egg prices were due for a price adjustment. You know yourself, selling your eggs for $2 a dozen, could you really make any money? Even before feed and gas prices went up?
https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2023/01/9-reasons-why-eggs-are-so-expensive.html
4. Eggs don't cause blood clots. I don't even know where that came from, but no you're not going to die from a blood clot if you eat eggs. Eggs do contain cholesterol, but plenty of studies have proven that dietary cholesterol isn't what causes health issues in most people. Eggs are one of the most nutritious foods you can eat - as they contain every nutrient needed for life except Vitamin C.
https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2015/02/how-many-eggs-should-i-eat-day-week.html
Again, I don't even know where to start with all this bad information that's being shared and reshared all over social media. Like much of what you see and read, take it all with a grain of salt. And relax. And share. Let's try and get some GOOD information out there for people.
Specializing in Dorper Sheep
