Fruit for Laying Hens

[bairo]

the fallacy might come from the fact that certain fruit seeds can actually due some harm. I have never had a problem at all with watermelon and cantaloupe...but I due notice that the hens will not hardly touch the watermelon seeds. Ill have to due more research on that.

 

[KansasKate]

My chickens get fruit in season. You need to use caution with any treats, as has been mentioned. If their production goes down, pull back on the treats so their diet is more balanced. It sure as heck isn't going to stop them laying for a month! I figure in the heat of the summer, I'd rather them have some watermelon and enjoy it than get that extra egg, if indeed it affects their laying. I've had some mild reduction in laying that correlates to the time I've been loading up on the fruit treats, but as for the variables: it has also been freakin' 100+ degrees for over a month, which coincides with the reduction. When the water in the waterer gets a little stale, the production goes down, too.

Short answer: fruit is OK. Everything in moderation.

 

[Smithschicks]

We haven't had our chickens for very long but the people we got them from always gave them fruit and we have continued with that. They LOVE watermelon & cantaloupe!!! We haven't seen any delay in their laying except when they were getting used to our home which only took a few days.

 

[Vicky2479]

I'm with everybody elsei give my girl fruit whenever I have it and haven't noticed any decline in the eggs I get