"But you are a potato!"

[KettermanHillCoop]

Okay, I've read quite a bit of threads regarding feeding our feathered friends eggs. First thing that popped in my head was the potato chip commercial with Mr. Potato Head catching Mrs. Potato Head eating chips in the closet. lol

My 1st question is...since my girls aren't laying just yet to eat their own (still such a bizarre concept)...are store bought eggs okay? If not...there are Amish farms around me that set coolers at the end of their driveways with signs that say "Cracked Brown Eggs 50 Cents/Dozen". Are these eggs okay for them?

Question 2: Do they like them scrambled, dippy, hard boiled? Toast on the side?

 

[Dawnclucks22]

Lol... feeding your hens eggs isn't a required thing, but it does give them lots of nutrients. You *can* buy eggs but aim for free-range eggs with no hormones used. If you do decide to give them eggs make sure they're cooked so they don't get into the habit of eating raw ones when they do lay.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Lol... feeding your hens eggs isn't a required thing, but it does give them lots of nutrients. You *can* buy eggs but aim for free-range eggs with no hormones used. If you do decide to give them eggs make sure they're cooked so they don't get into the habit of eating raw ones when they do lay.

Eggies are a great protein source, which is why I'm inquiring. Just didn't know about the store bought ones...or the cracked ones on the random country road. That...and how to serve up this cannibal delicacy...lol Side of scrapple perhaps?

I was thinking of scrambling them and adding the eggshells too for an added kick to the menu.... Thoughts?

 

[Dawnclucks22]

Eggies are a great protein source, which is why I'm inquiring. Just didn't know about the store bought ones...or the cracked ones on the random country road. That...and how to serve up this cannibal delicacy...lol Side of scrapple perhaps?

I was thinking of scrambling them and adding the eggshells too for an added kick to the menu.... Thoughts?

Sounds good.

 

[Dayrel]

Don't think of it as cannibalism. That would be more feeding chicken meat to your chickens. The closest human/mammal analogy is milk. Baby chickens consume the yolk during while developing and even for the first two days after hatched. It is designed with their nutrition in mind.

A couple of suggestions when feeding eggs your chickens. It should be cooked just to kill any possible pathogens and to keep them from getting the idea that their own eggs are food. Scrambled and hard boiled both work.

You can also feed the shells back to them as a good source of calcium supplementation. Make sure they are dried, cooked to kill any pathogens (either after hard boiled or cracking open), and well broken. Again, you don't want to let your girls get the idea that their own eggs are good for consumption.

Fortunately, I've never had the problem. But apparently once a hen gets the idea to eat raw eggs, it is very difficult to break the behavior.

As for feeding store-bought vs. local vs. your own eggs: all work, but you should judge based on your own feelings about hormones, nutritional quality, etc.

 

[rjohns39]

X2, I also boil them and smash them with a potato smasher, shells and all. The cracked eggs would be perfect as you know they are chemical free. If you don't already have them in your freezer/pantry, at some point pick up a couple cans of cheap pink salmon and frozen beef liver. I keep both in my emergency supplies for the occasional bird that shows a vitamin deficiency.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

X2, I also boil them and smash them with a potato smasher, shells and all. The cracked eggs would be perfect as you know they are chemical free. If you don't already have them in your freezer/pantry, at some point pick up a couple cans of cheap pink salmon and frozen beef liver. I keep both in my emergency supplies for the occasional bird that shows a vitamin deficiency.

Salmon in a can? (can't say I ever heard of that) Do you cook it? Or is it like tunafish?

 

[CSAchook]

I also boil, then crush or chop. That way they get protein (egg) and calcium (shell). They love it and it doesn't take much time or effort.

 

[Dayrel]

Canned salmon is pre-cooked, like tuna in a can.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Why mash em up with shells and all? She has not one layer yet. Wouldn't crushing and offering shells separately be a better idea? I'm just thinking forcing excess calcium on a young flock plus the rooster isn't the smartest thing to do vs offering free choice. I'm quite open to being wrong and if so please educate me.
Allen