Take away the water to produce bigger eggs?

[kuntrygirl]

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I agree. When my hen's waterers get 1/2 empty, I get nervous, so i couldn't imagine having the waterers completely empty.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

well that one takes the cake . . .

 

[Akane]

I don't think there's any time of year in any climate that they could live a week without water. They can die within days during most of the year in any climate. They will also stop laying well before that and probably for the next several weeks if they survive long enough for you to return their water. Stressing a chicken is not a good way to get eggs. Lots of good food, water, and exercise will give you more and better eggs.

 

[12GAGirl]

How would you feel without having a drink for a week?
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[speckledhen]

I think that suggestion may just beat all other ridiculous advice I've ever heard.

Absolutely astounding the garbage some folks will pass around. Everyone is right, it's cruel and dangerous to withhold water from chickens. They are big drinkers.

 

[Lorije1]

Let's just say hypothetically that starving your chickens for water would produce a bigger egg.... would you seriously consider torturing a dependent animal for a stupid egg? If so, just buy commercial.

 

[txchickie]

SERIOUSLY!?!? Why in the world would you deprive an animal of WATER for a week 'to see if you get bigger eggs'?

Why would you even ask?! Why would anyone even think that that would be a good idea?

I am truly baffled. And disturbed.

 

[Celeste]

Definitely not the way to go! Not sure how that person came up with that. No other way to have a myth dispelled than to ask about it right?

 

[greathorse]

I would guess the person giving the advice was speaking of those folks that force a molt. I know they withhold feed and or water I really dont know how it is done and have no interest in the process. But just thinking this could be someone's recollection of forcing a molt at the end of the laying cycle and eggs are bigger in the next cycle. I think to force a molt they keep it quite dark and a very minimal amount of feed and water?????? I know it is not a pretty thing to do. I would never do it just saying the information probably came from a source like this??

No barking not condoning taking water away from a chicken. Water,fresh clean water is critical to their health and well being. I read a bit about some of the old poultry men on the early farms and they were fanatical about the quality of the water for their layers.