Corgiqueen
In the Brooder
- Mar 31, 2024
- 10
- 44
- 49
Where I work we have a “Farm Veterinarian” who just so happens to work on all animals both domestic and farm. When the vet (who we’ll call Dr, F) examined the chickens, he determined them to be overweight. Dr. F told my boss that because the chickens at my job are just used for educational purposes and not egg laying purposes that the chickens should be on an all scratch grains diet. Dr. F stated that the chickens don’t need a layer diet because we don’t use or eat their eggs. Dr. F stated that a layer diet was for laying hens only and that even though our chickens were laying breeds that they still don’t need a layer diet. Dr. F stated that by not feeding them a layer diet, the laying chickens breeds will stop laying eggs altogether.
Now fast-forward to yesterday where Dr. F stopped by to examine an injured laying hen. Dr. F gave the chicken a full examination and it was determined by him that because of the depleting calcium in her diet and her consistent egg laying regardless that she should have been on a high calcium diet to help with her egg laying. Dr. F stated that each time she was laying eggs, the calcium was being stolen from bones and other internal organs that contained calcium.
Now here where I need help. Being these are only “Pet chickens“ should they be fed a scratch only diet even though they are egg breeds?
The breeds include Rhode Island red, Dominique, Americanas and white Leghorn.
Now fast-forward to yesterday where Dr. F stopped by to examine an injured laying hen. Dr. F gave the chicken a full examination and it was determined by him that because of the depleting calcium in her diet and her consistent egg laying regardless that she should have been on a high calcium diet to help with her egg laying. Dr. F stated that each time she was laying eggs, the calcium was being stolen from bones and other internal organs that contained calcium.
Now here where I need help. Being these are only “Pet chickens“ should they be fed a scratch only diet even though they are egg breeds?
The breeds include Rhode Island red, Dominique, Americanas and white Leghorn.