Fruit can STOP Hens from Laying??

[clubforgrowth]

I've had a couple of friends have problems with feeding large quantities of windfall apples and apple pumace to their layers, who subsequently stopped laying. The (logical) explanation that I have heard is that the chickens will gorge themselves on the sugary apples, leaving not enough room in their stomachs for the protein and other nutrients that they need to produce eggs.

As a side note, another friend uses windfall apples and apple pumace to breed high-protein bugs for his chickens.

 

[gritsar]

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I agree with this explanation. Anything that is given in such quantity that it upsets the nutritional balance in the chickens body can disrupt laying. All things in moderation is best.

 

[gem-boy-g]

I realise this post is over 12 months old and I'm sorry to bring it up again. I'm in Australia and found this site by chance whilst googling a link between grapes and no eggs. Mine are off the lay and they did exactly the same thing last year at the same time, grape glut time, when they are given kilos of the stuff. Was a very interesting read thank you.

 

[Arielle]

Thanks for bringing this back up! Great read! i read yesterday that seedless grapes are ok that mean none with seeds! We have lots of wild grape vines and produce loads of seeded grapes in the fall, which fall right into the driveway and it looks like the drive was smeared with gobs of jam! LOL Anyone know why grape SEEDS are a problems???

 

[gritsar]

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[gritsar]

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I don't know. Perhaps it's one of those myths like apple seeds? Yes apple seeds contain a form of arsenic, but you (or your chickens) would have to eat a bushel full of the seeds alone before they'd be fatal.
I let my chickens eat what they want (they free range). When the fruits are ripe - like the figs, their absolute favorite - I do notice a decrease in laying. In general, free range chickens are really good about knowing what's okay to eat and what's not.

 

[sawmane1]

I've never had any laying problems and my girls get fruit every day.

All i can say is... How much did the feed store pay them to say that?

 

[WriterofWords]

That's a load of hooey,, my feathered females are shooting out eggs like little machine guns and they have fruit every single day!

 

[kla37]

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Funny visual on that.....

 

[gem-boy-g]

I think now that I gave my lot so many grapes that they were too full to eat much else after pigging them down, you'd think they'd know to have balaced diet

This looks like a really great site, I'm on the outskirts of Perth in West Australia and we've had chickens for the last 30 years, love them. Nice to meet you all.