Current Social Media Chicken Feed Craze - posted testing results

[Rurumo]

I was hoping someone would test for mycotoxins, aren't they considered the biggest danger in feed?

 

[Aunt Angus]

NOTHING.

There is no known, readily available, oral contraceptive for chickens which causes them to stop laying. There is a rather expensive chemical cocktail which can be periodically injected subdermally to stop some birds from laying - its used by zoos - but again, no oral equivalent.

I can't prove a negative in a universe of posibilities. I instead invite you to demonstrate the existence of this hereforto unknown magical substance. Incredible claims demand incredible proof, not merely the blathering of the ignorant, no matter how loudly the crowd brays.

I wish there was an easy way to make them stop laying. My duck gets those hormone implants, and they are very expensive! Plus, I might have saved two hens who passed from laying problems

 

[Aunt Angus]

I was hoping someone would test for mycotoxins, aren't they considered the biggest danger in feed?

I'm having feed samples tested for mycotoxins. Results in a couple of weeks.

 

[Joel Just Joel]

There is no known, readily available, oral contraceptive for chickens which causes them to stop laying.

Mmmm, do you know much about Nicarbazin? I've only just read about it this week, but it looks like it's an anticoccidial in chickens that's also used for population control in Canadian geese and pigeons through "contraceptive corn". Not sure if anyone's used it for population control in chickens since that's not normally desirable.
Also, from here, "A side effect of nicarbazin, a veterinary drug used to control coccidiosis in chickens, is decreased egg production and hatching."
It's been around for a while, too, at least since 1956 or 1957 (see here).

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I was hoping someone would test for mycotoxins, aren't they considered the biggest danger in feed?

Aflatoxins, Vomitoxins, and the rest are all tested for by reputable mills.

They all have symptoms which are MUCH More readily apparent before the bird is sick enough to stop laying. Those symptoms aren't being reported. Ergo, while they may be present (probably are) in minute traces, they aren't responsible for the anecdotal and often anonymous claims.

Aflitoxicosis

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Mmmm, do you know much about Nicarbazin? I've only just read about it this week, but it looks like it's an anticoccidial in chickens that's also used for population control in Canadian geese and pigeons through "contraceptive corn". Not sure if anyone's used it for population control in chickens since that's not normally desirable.
Also, from here, "A side effect of nicarbazin, a veterinary drug used to control coccidiosis in chickens, is decreased egg production and hatching."
It's been around for a while, too, at least since 1956 or 1957 (see here).

This stuff?

They still lay. Eggs are "distinct". Contents are nonviable. If your birds were getting that, you should notice the change in egg shell. You would really notice when your whites and yolks were all the same mess inside.

Quote:
Nicarbazin interferes with the formation of the vitelline membrane, separating the egg yolk and egg white. The exact mode of action is unknown, although it is thought nicarbazin interferes with cholesterol metabolism in the formation of the membrane. Eggs from treated birds are described as mottled in appearance, reflecting a porous vitelline membrane. The effect on hatchability is a function of time and dose and the effect is reversible.

/edited to fix link, and the spelling of Quote.

 

[Kiki]

 

[Joel Just Joel]

This stuff?

...You would really notice when your whites and yolks were all the same mess inside.

Yes, and here, too.

Some of the research mentioned reduced laying, but very few emphasize it. All seem to mention the malformed eggs like you mentioned, and that's not been my experience nor has anyone else mentioned it. Pre-scrambled eggs would be pretty noticeable! Thank you for clarifying.

 

[Ponyiqandhens2]

My understanding is that when DDT is used for light spraying of certain indoor areas it is INCREDIBLY effective at preventing malaria mosquitos from infecting people and extremely safe for the environment.

It was, I am told, the heavy spraying of large swaths of land that caused the problems.

It is banned in the US as of 1972,it stays in the environment and animal tissues for a very long time

Only one company makes it india where it is used and exported to subsaharan african nations and china

It is commonly found in the breast milk of women in those countries with especially high levels in chinese women

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Yes, and here, too.

Some of the research mentioned reduced laying, but very few emphasize it. All seem to mention the malformed eggs like you mentioned, and that's not been my experience nor has anyone else mentioned it. Pre-scrambled eggs would be pretty noticeable! Thank you for clarifying.

Honestly, I was being a little facetious - you just get really weak membranes, they wouldn't necessarily be pre scrambled unless you were ungentle with them, but most (if not all) the yolks would probably break while you were cracking the eggs (dose dependent), similar to when you have low threonine levels in your feed.