Feathers of Eden
Songster
My mother used to tell me about the time in her childhood when some average land race hens they had( used to lay 4 eggs a week or so ) suddenly were laying more than one egg a day for a period of almost two to three weeks when they were fed Silkworm pupae and other local silk production byproducts and then back to their average egg production after the seasonal silk production was gone.
I looked at the nutrition value of fresh silkworm pupae and its byproducts. They are a rich source of protein, fat and some necessary amino acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids noticeably Linoleic acid and a low mineral content.
I am not sure silkworm byproducts are something special or are more nutritious than dried mealworm or black soldier fly larvae that is available around here but I think the shear volume of feeding that was happening in that two to three weeks of silk harvest was the boost that pushed ordinary hens to go to overdrive mode and some laid two eggs a day for some impressive period of time.
Now I am not here to say what I said definitely happened because I was not there to count the eggs!!! and I think this old story is somehow open to scrutiny but I am thinking this experience has been done or could be done . I mean have any of you given unlimited mealworm access to your hens for a decent period of time to see the egg production boost?
Have you heard about similar stories( or myths if you wish)?
I looked at the nutrition value of fresh silkworm pupae and its byproducts. They are a rich source of protein, fat and some necessary amino acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids noticeably Linoleic acid and a low mineral content.
I am not sure silkworm byproducts are something special or are more nutritious than dried mealworm or black soldier fly larvae that is available around here but I think the shear volume of feeding that was happening in that two to three weeks of silk harvest was the boost that pushed ordinary hens to go to overdrive mode and some laid two eggs a day for some impressive period of time.
Now I am not here to say what I said definitely happened because I was not there to count the eggs!!! and I think this old story is somehow open to scrutiny but I am thinking this experience has been done or could be done . I mean have any of you given unlimited mealworm access to your hens for a decent period of time to see the egg production boost?
Have you heard about similar stories( or myths if you wish)?