stimulants in layer feed?

[fowlwoman1]

someone told me that there are stimulants in layer feed and that it makes them lay more eggs, but for fewer years. Is all this true?

 

[speckledhen]

No, it isn't true unless there is some special hi-test food out there I've never heard about. It's like some people say there are hormones in chicken feed and there arent.

 

[silkiechicken]

Quote:
What speckledhen said. It's the genetics that make the birds lay a lot for a short period of time. However... my production leghorns haven't missed a beat though their second year of laying, and they were from the group that came down with cocci, which usually decreases their productivity as layers. I guess in a few years I'll know how well they continue to lay. They lay their weight in eggs every 2-3 weeks.

 

[dlhunicorn]

Light (even artificial) is the trigger for lay.

 

[MissPrissy]

The layer feed gives them all the nutrients they need to produce eggs. Even with a good natural diet they can be lacking small trace minerals. The commercial laying feeds gives them a complete diet of proper nutrition. Everything else we do is extra.