Your thoughts - Warms treat BEFORE or AFTER they lay eggs?

[Qi Chicken]

Do you think that scratch at night is a bad idea? I threw them a handful the other night and thought for some reason that it might not be good for them.

 

[GoldenCometLady]

My husbands uncle grew up raising chickens. He told me his Dad always
winter and summer took some laying mash and stired in some hot water
to feed the hens. Said it made them lay more eggs. I have feed mine
warm oatmeal too and they sure love it. After it is gone they stand around
picking it off of each others faces. Its a hoot to watch them come up with
the oatmeal all over their faces.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

FWIW, after a cow calves, it is good practice to give her a bucket of warm water. Helps her system with the trauma of birthing and helps expel the afterbirth. Granted that we are talking mammals vs vecilloraptors, I'd think that warm food after the egg laying would restore the bird more.
My next question is: who is spending time in this frigid weather just sitting there waiting for their hen to lay so they can feed it warm treats?
Ours get snacks morning and night

 

[AllChookUp]

Quote:
That makes sense to me. The stress of the extremely cold weather on their bodies, coupled with the stress of egg production on their bodies has to be tough. Thanks for the input, everyone!