Bug zappers

[marilyn1954]

We have 12 hens and we're getting 4-6 eggs per day. We were at an auction and got one of those bug zappers for $5. Took it home and plug it in at night. In the morning the chickens come out of their coop and run like mad to the bug zapper where their is a feast each morning. Since then we get a minimum of 7 eggs. No sure if it's because of the bug zapper but it sure didn't hurt!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The only real "change" that could be attributed to this is that the birds have a ready source of protein in the bug bodies -- if your feed program was on the low side of protein to begin with (ie layer ration which is generally on hte low end plus any sort of low protein treats like scratch, veggies, etc) then the increased protein could certainly cause an increase in production as it would better support the hens' bodies in a way to make more regular production possible.
Whether there is a cause/effect situation here would depend on how long there was between the zapper's arrival and the increase in production, the age of the birds (ie if they are young you may have had more birds come into production at about the same time as you go the zapper, giving the appearance of a cause/effect), etc.

 

[marilyn1954]

Well tell me what I'm doing wrong, they free range 15 hours a day, and we give them pellets (never ending) andscratch. All our birds are ornamental.

 

[marilyn1954]

Oh and 2 of the 12 are broody!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Well tell me what I'm doing wrong, they free range 15 hours a day, and we give them pellets (never ending) andscratch. All our birds are ornamental.

You aren't necessarily doing anything "wrong", in fact, from your posts, it is quite the opposite. If you have 12 birds with 2 that are broody that would leave 10 potential layers. If they are ornamental breeds (assuming that is what you meant, though some folks refer to any breed that is more for "yard decoration" than primarily for production as ornamental) then the expected rate of production is not all that high to begin with. It sounds like you are providing a very good, healthy environment for them. You didn't say how old the birds are, but I suspect it is either the slight boost in protein from the new morning bug feasts and/or someone who has previously not been in production coming on line adding to the egg count. You do mention free ranging - it *could* be someone who was previously going rogue with her laying has suddenly decided to use the nest boxes, but I wouldn't put that in the "highly likely" column.

 

[marilyn1954]

Yes that is what I meant. They are 14 months old