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Does fruit really stop their egg laying?

post #1 of 28
3/15/11 at 6:53am
Thread Starter 

I gave the girls 1/2 of a small watermelon as a treat a few days ago.  Looking through the Meyer Hatchery catalog today, it says not to feed fruits to layers as it will stop their egg production.  Is this true?  They've only been laying about a month and now I'm worried.

A Husband ~ 4 yr old son ~ 1 1/2 year old daughter ~ 12 horses ~ 2 dogs ~ 2 barn cats ~ a green cheek conure ~ 3 goldfish ~ 30 chickens, 14 ducks and 10 guineas
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A Husband ~ 4 yr old son ~ 1 1/2 year old daughter ~ 12 horses ~ 2 dogs ~ 2 barn cats ~ a green cheek conure ~ 3 goldfish ~ 30 chickens, 14 ducks and 10 guineas
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post #2 of 28
3/15/11 at 7:01am

Never heard of this, and a hatchery is saying it?  Why don't you let us know whether you saw a difference?

Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

BYC Troubleshooting article -- click here

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Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

BYC Troubleshooting article -- click here

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post #3 of 28
3/15/11 at 7:08am

This is a question that's been on here multiple times... I'm not sure if there's a certain fruit that might not be good for them, but I give mine fruit all the time and still have so many eggs I don't know what to do big_smile we will buy the birds watermelons during the summer just for them, grapes, oranges, apples... They LOVE it and have never stopped laying for me. If I believed in conspiracy theories I'd say they are being paid by feed mills to say that  lol  In all seriousness though, it has never affected my birds.

Kids: 4 dogs, 1 PB Pig, 2 cats, 12 horses, 4 goats, 2 mini donkeys, 3 silkie ducks, of course our flock of chickies & my hubby !! Life would be SO boring without them!
Breeding: Polish, Seramas, & Silkie Ducks! 
2011 N.E. Chickenstock: http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=449333
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Kids: 4 dogs, 1 PB Pig, 2 cats, 12 horses, 4 goats, 2 mini donkeys, 3 silkie ducks, of course our flock of chickies & my hubby !! Life would be SO boring without them!
Breeding: Polish, Seramas, & Silkie Ducks! 
2011 N.E. Chickenstock: http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=449333
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post #4 of 28
3/15/11 at 7:08am

I don't think it's true and Meyer is the only source I can find for this idea.

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post #5 of 28
3/15/11 at 7:18am
Thread Starter 

Thanks!

A Husband ~ 4 yr old son ~ 1 1/2 year old daughter ~ 12 horses ~ 2 dogs ~ 2 barn cats ~ a green cheek conure ~ 3 goldfish ~ 30 chickens, 14 ducks and 10 guineas
Reply
A Husband ~ 4 yr old son ~ 1 1/2 year old daughter ~ 12 horses ~ 2 dogs ~ 2 barn cats ~ a green cheek conure ~ 3 goldfish ~ 30 chickens, 14 ducks and 10 guineas
Reply
post #6 of 28
3/15/11 at 7:20am

Mine get strawberries, apples, bananas and lots of other fruits.

I prefer to describe myself as "delightfully difficult" And it would just be easier if you agreed.
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I prefer to describe myself as "delightfully difficult" And it would just be easier if you agreed.
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post #7 of 28
3/15/11 at 7:21am

Mine get fruit a few times a week and still lay lots of eggs.  I think it must be a myth.

Happily owned by 7 fluffy butt girls: 1 BO, 3 BA, and 3 Cochins.  Also have 11 hermit crabs, 2 giant african millipedes, a ball python, and a wonderful irish wheaten terrier!  2 awesome boys who love them all!

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Happily owned by 7 fluffy butt girls: 1 BO, 3 BA, and 3 Cochins.  Also have 11 hermit crabs, 2 giant african millipedes, a ball python, and a wonderful irish wheaten terrier!  2 awesome boys who love them all!

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post #8 of 28
3/15/11 at 7:23am

mine eat tons of fruit (well maybe not tons, but...) and even my 2 1/2 year old hens lay an egg almost everyday.

I have a Chicken illness Flow chart but it is a PDF file, so if you PM your email address then I will email it to.
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I have a Chicken illness Flow chart but it is a PDF file, so if you PM your email address then I will email it to.
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post #9 of 28
3/15/11 at 7:24am

mine love apples, and melons

I have read that it's not recommended to give them citrus, because too much vit C can block the absorbtion of protein therefor causing them to take longer to form an egg

do a search here and see what you come up with.

HTH!

Located in Lincoln County, NC.
Find joy in the simple things of life.
Today I will be happier than a bird with a french fry!
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Located in Lincoln County, NC.
Find joy in the simple things of life.
Today I will be happier than a bird with a french fry!
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post #10 of 28
3/15/11 at 7:24am

I seriously doubt that is true if you consider all the chickens from the past free ranging and raiding gardens and roaming orchards having a feast. Surely if it were a problem, free range would not be an option. I would question the source of this information and demand proof.

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BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying › Does fruit really stop their egg laying?