Boy am I mad!!!Just typed this entire thread..and got knocked offline by my carrier(?)..anyway I better make this quick,..read several weeks ago about feeding sweet feed to increase protein and get hens to lay..went to local feed store..discussed it with them they suggested a high protein cattle feed that comes in a pellet form like layer pellets..and much cheaper (almost 1/2) I tried this and after l week hens have started laying 6 eggs yesterday and 5 so far today..it is still early. We are having very hot humid days and I thought this might keep my 4 yr old gals from laying..sure does slow me down..but I do believe it to be working. Thought I would pass on the info..

-- Sandi (msjazt@aol.com), August 27, 2001

Answers

Sounds good. My friend's secret weapon in her arsenal for keeping the hens laying in winter is dry dog food (kibble). She soaks it with water and feeds it to them in a pan at least once a day.

-- Alison in N.S. (aproteau@istar.ca), August 27, 2001.

We have lots of extra goat milk so the chickens (and ducks) get that. They see me coming with that bucket and I'm nearly run over. The egg shells are as hard as rocks from all the calcium and we've noticed more eggs through the winter. Not a whole lot more, but more.

-- Charleen in WNY (harperhill@eznet.net), August 27, 2001.

First year layers (pullets) will lay about every day on as little as 10% protein, so amke sure you are not paying too much for too much protein! The 12% sweet feed is 4.95 for a 50 pound bag, and laying mash or pellets(16% protein) was 7.50 to 8.50 for 50 pounds, wasn't worth the difference in price.

After 3 years, no matter what you feed, they will have good laying days and bad, no egg days. I replace every two years to get eggs just about daily from my hens.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), August 27, 2001.