Feeding questions

[Loving my girls]

The commercial egg laying operations use specially bred hybrid hens that have a fairly small body but lay a relatively large egg. With smaller bodies they can use more of what they eat for egg production instead of needing it to maintain their body. They typically feed a 16% protein ration. More protein in the feed and the eggs get larger. That could cause medical problems with their smaller bodies. Your Australorps are larger chickens than the laying hybrids so they can lay a larger egg without risking those problems. But they will also lay a lot of nice eggs on a 16% protein feed.

What a shame we, as a species, do such terrible things to other species for the sake of greed
Before anyone makes the assumption; I am a carnivore who is very careful about the source and welfare of the animals she eats. I also believe that if an animal gives up its life for food all of that animal should be utilised.