Official BYC Poll: How Do You Optimize Your Hens' Egg-Laying Capabilities?

[rockethoe]

other: I also free feed seaweed meal for trace elements and add sodium bicarb at 1% of their feed. and move them onto fresh forage daily.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

other: I also free feed seaweed meal for trace elements and add sodium bicarb at 1% of their feed. and move them onto fresh forage daily.

So how many eggs do you typically get a day with this regimen? What does the sodium bicarb do for them?

 

[rockethoe]

So how many eggs do you typically get a day with this regimen? What does the sodium bicarb do for them?

we are not yet reaching the genetic potential of our hens. lay rate is 78%. potential is 90%. the main reason for this is we do not use formulated feed, so we are working on formulating our own mix. every week we get a little better.
We are getting closer and closer.
Sodium bicarb at 0.7-1% has a positive effect on egg production, quality and size.it can also increase the eggshell thickness by up to 6%.

 

[Apis mellifera]

So how many eggs do you typically get a day with this regimen? What does the sodium bicarb do for them?

The only research paper I could find said it could potentially increase egg laying during high heat stress. Other than that, not much.

 

[rockethoe]

The only research paper I could find said it could potentially increase egg laying during high heat stress. Other than that, not much.

there were multiple studies in the 60's. The frank and Berger one, to which I assume you're referring, was a study of birds that were subject to minor heat/carbon dioxide stress. The rest were in normal circumstances.

In more recent times there have been two studies that I have read - one which concluded that it increased in all factors, and another that it increased in all factors during peak lay, but not during late production period.

 

[Apis mellifera]

The ones I read show mixed results and not significant improvements in laying.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00071669208417527

https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/docum...&doi=6f0ba7345af35997f612894a3ac94c5ed60113d9

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119405907

 

[rockethoe]

The ones I read show mixed results and not significant improvements in laying.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00071669208417527

https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/docum...&doi=6f0ba7345af35997f612894a3ac94c5ed60113d9

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119405907

Maybe we're reading different, but looking at the links you provided I see:

The first study you link was an experiment showing what would happen if you added sodium bicarb at ten times the recommended amount. "2 days of consuming feed erroneously formulated to contain over 30 g/kg instead of 3 g/kg sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). "

the second study conclusion is that the hens supplemented with sodium bicarb had a better mortality rate and layer more eggs.

the third study is light on details, but seems to be a replication of the frank and Berger study, tested on hens in heat stress.

 

[Apis mellifera]

Maybe we're reading different, but looking at the links you provided I see:

Agree, its just not a significant difference. Which I understand could make a difference for keeping battery hens and the bottom line. For people with a few hens in the backyard the risks outweigh the rewards and they wouldn't see a difference in egg production or health and could have negative effects if fed incorrectly.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Interesting, but HOW it supposedly works is what I'm wondering. Please don't make me read all that, can either of you summarize the mechanics of the process? Thanks!

 

[rockethoe]

Agree, its just not a significant difference. Which I understand could make a difference for keeping battery hens and the bottom line. For people with a few hens in the backyard the risks outweigh the rewards and they wouldn't see a difference in egg production or health and could have negative effects if fed incorrectly.

for sure someone with 6 hens in the garden isn't going to notice 6 - 9% increase, but even if you have 100 hens (we're scaling to reach 300) its enough of a difference to make it worthwhile