6th grade science project

[svchic]

Does anyone have any ideas for a 6th grade science project? My daughter's Science teacher suggested comparing whether the intake of a cheaper laying feed vs. Purina Layena pellets affects egg production. For one thing, we are unable to find a cheaper feed (actually we have found no other chicken feed brand to compare) and we do not want to take a chance on decreasing egg production. We will welcome any & all idea's!

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[paddock36]

What about egg development. Your daughter could make a small homemade incubator, poster of egg development, and then you have the incubator and chicks at the end.

 

[Teach97]

what about testing out some of the old wive's tales?

just as a side note...is this just a local fair? the ones that lead to bigger shows have lots of rules about using animals and require a vet's signature...not hard to do but requires another step...just making sure...kinda been there done that...

also...does it have to be an experiment or will a demonstrtion work?

there is that deal about coloring the inside of eggs by putting dyes in the feed?

 

[svchic]

Thank you for the ideas! We appreciate them. Our first thought was incubation, but our rooster isn't doing his job.

 

[cybercat]

Actually I consider Purina the cheaper feed. How about a comparsion with a all veggi feed to one that has meat product and how many eggs are layed and how large. As long as chicken only eat the feed and get no free ranging that should be a good study.

 

[svchic]

Our chickens are doing great with egg production in the winter, so we don't want to take a chance on decreasing it. But it was a wonderful idea!! Thank you. We have 33 chickens and they are continuing laying over 2 dozen a day.

 

[mkearsley]

You could also compare lower-protein feed with higher-protein feed and compare egg production, and bird appearance (are the feathers different size, sheen, etc; are the birds fatter or leaner; do they pick at their buddies more or less; etc etc). I know there's a lot of people on the forum who feed 16% protein, others feed 20% protein.

 

[svchic]

That's a HUGE difference!!! Which do you think is better? We feed our chickens 16%.

 

[mkearsley]

I feed mine 20%. I don't know which is better, that's why I suggested it

It would be interesting to find out, but since I've only got 4 birds and they all free range, and they're all different breeds, an experiment wouldn't be accurate. If you do try it, you'll have to let us know the results

may end up saving me some money if the 16% is just as good

I've got four hens that I'm feeding, two started laying eggs back in November, one has never laid eggs (she's old enough, I just think there's something wrong inside), and one stopped laying once it got cold (but she's an "ornamental" breed - Polish, where the other 2 are production breeds).

The only reason I use the 20% is I was told when I first got them that they are less likely the peck each other if they have a lot of protein. Thus far, I've not had any problems with them attacking each other, even with two of the four being attacked by dogs & losing a lot of feathers!

The 20% costs about $5/50lb bag compared to the same brand of 16%.

 

[svchic]

Where do you get your feed??? I pay $14.79 for mine!!!

I buy Purina Layena.