Hi, My name is Phil Buendia, just today as I was getting ready to make eggs for breakfast I recalled that when I was little my uncle used to have a mini chicken farm in our backyard. I clearly remember that he fed the chickens laying mass or mash (im not quite sure what is the exact term) so the chickens would lay eggs. Now, does the laying mass or mash just increase the chicken's egg laying capability or does this actually impregnates the chicken? I'm quite confused, can you clear up this crazy confusion.

-- Philip (pbuendia@ucla.edu), March 14, 2001

Answers

A hen no more needs a rooster to produce an egg than a woman needs a man to produce an 'egg'. BUT to have a fertilized egg that might hatch and produce a chick, a rooster must be involved. The laying mash helps the hen produce more and better quality eggs. Hope this helps, Philip.

-- Eve in FL (owenall@lwol.com), March 14, 2001.

Nope!! They produce eggs with very little attention from anyone. Though, my Grandmother's hen produced about 9 eggs per week and we think it was because Grams used to pet her and talk to her all the time. That many eggs on a regular basis is quite some feat for a hen!!

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), March 14, 2001.

== They produce eggs with very little attention from anyone. Though, my Grandmother's hen produced about 9 eggs per week and we think it was because Grams used to pet her and talk to her all the time. That many eggs on a regular basis is quite some feat for a hen!! ==

Sure is, 'specially since a hen only lays one egg/day!! -G-

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), March 14, 2001.

Rogo:

I believe it is an average of one egg a day, not a physical restriction. I don't doubt there have been hens which have done better than that.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), March 14, 2001.

We also called the feed laying mash, but you will find it at the feed store as layer crumbles. You can feed chickens almost anything, but this is a well balanced feed for them, and they will produce better on it.

-- mary, texas (marylgarcia@aol.com), March 14, 2001.

As a chicken lays eggs, essential nutrients are used up. A good laying mash will return those nutrients to the birds. That's why, if they are not free-ranged, you should have them on a laying mash. Also, keep crushed oyster shells, free choice, for them. They need the extra calcium. If you feed them scratch grains, which are whole grains, they will need some kind of grit, to help them digest the seeds. Oyster shells provide some of this, as well as plain old chicken grit. Enjoy your birds, they provide food and entertainment, while not asking for all that much from us!

Rickstir

-- Rick Powell (rpowell@email.ccis.edu), March 14, 2001.

I am enamored of the concept of non-physical mating as suggested by the thread title. My imagination being limited, I yield to those of you who can explain such! GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), March 14, 2001.

It depends on the chickens, we have golden comets which are known for excellent (brown) egg laying. They require high protein layer mash. I've experimented twice by feeding cracked corn for two weeks, egg production dropped drastically. So I put them back on layer mash, resulting increased egg production (back to normal). Also, during the Japanese beetle season, I would capture 2-3 qt. jars full per day to feed the chickens daily and the brown eggs almost became cream-whi

-- David Cripe (CripeLand@aol.com), March 14, 2001.

Yup, just like women ,they'll produce an egg. Of course , just like women, they probably won't be near as happy producing them eggs without a rooster around to take care of em. Well, to be sure, I believe it makes those roosters real happy to be doin their duty.

-- jz (oz49us@yahoo.com), March 19, 2001.