if your science say people can't raise chickens without using commercial feed, I have problems with that. If your science say that chickens won't produce better quality eggs with limitless access to greens and bugs such as they do when free ranging because it would unbalance their feed, then you either naive or have an agenda.I have problems with your elevation of smug moral superiority over the state of the science.
So when I give mine free access to greens, grains, and meats you are saying they eating them in wrong proportions? And greens are not beneficent for them or for egg quality?Yikes. I don't know what to say to you. Chickens aren't just going to eat scratch because they NEED it. Its because they want it. 20% protein is plenty for chickens, even for chicks. Its enough for a chick to feather out nicely and for adults to finish their annual molts. No veggies needed. Chickens don't know how to fully balance out their own diet. Its the whole reason why you see chickens will issues. If chickens could balance their diet as well as you make it sound, we wouldn't see the issues we see today.
The wheel was created to make money, increase profitability and the scale of chicken farming, and make people life easier. As does fast food. Battery cages is another wheel as chickens can live in very tight space while producing even more eggs for the feed eaten.To me, I would rather save time and make sure my birds are healthy. Why re-invent the wheel? The wheel was created because it works, and it surely works better than a square.
I have no problem with feeding whole bagged feed, I am having problem with people saying it is the only option and is superior to free ranging and natural foods (other than productivity which I agree)Again, its not like my life surrounds around chickens. I have better things to do. And for what its worth, feeding a balanced diet has helped my birds to live a long and happy life. For those of us who have a large number of birds, treats are considered another cost, making chickens a larger liability.
The dreaded "treats" again, whatever great natural foods they are.Chickens don't have a long life expectancy anyways and treats don't necessarily make them "happy" or healthier. Its the same concept for humans. A moment on the lips, forever on the hips.