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Anyone here raise chickens for eggs?

Wingman68

Well-Known Member
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I’ve seen this story in numerous places. Purina chicken feed is putting hens off of laying. The ceo, Beth Ford of Purina parent company Land O’Lakes, is also on the board of BlackRock, so there’s that.

STORY AT-A-GLANCE
  • Egg prices have more than doubled compared to what they were a year ago, with a median cost of $4.25 for a dozen
  • As of January 2023, more than 58 million birds in 47 states have been killed due to avian flu outbreaks
  • The egg shortage began amidst a series of mysterious fires and other disasters at U.S. food processors
  • Some farmers have stated chicken feed made by Purina may have been altered to contain lower amounts of protein and minerals, leaving chickens unable to lay eggs
  • A report from the Rockefeller Foundation, released in July 2020 and predicting a coming food crisis, calls for the creation of a centralized “nutrition security system”
If the price of eggs has you seriously considering starting your own backyard flock, you're not alone. Egg prices have more than doubled compared to what they were a year ago, with a median cost of $4.25 for a dozen.1

Many assume rising inflation is to blame, but the official narrative states avian flu, affecting up to 58 million birds, is the more likely cause.2 Another theory has surfaced from chicken farmers who have linked problems with egg laying to a certain brand of chicken feed.3 It's also curious timing, as the egg shortage began amidst a series of mysterious fires and other disasters at U.S. food processors.

US Pledged to 'Increase and Disseminate Food Shortages'
It's relevant to note that in March 2022, President Biden openly stated food shortages are "going to be real."4 He also said he spoke with European allies about "how we could increase, and disseminate more rapidly, food shortages."5 Although it's now been largely scrubbed from the internet, the statement wasn't corrected by the White House. It circulated on social media, prompting Facebook to immediately flag it as fake news.

(This Joe statement reminds me of when he was ‘campaigning’ & told the audience they didn’t need to worry or even vote because of the extensive network the dems had ‘in place’. Leave Joe to his own arrogant devices & he may spill the truth. No worries though, no one takes anything he says seriously)
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
"Consumer demand for shell eggs continues to trend lower, driven by rising resistance to record high prices in grocery outlets across the country. While wholesale price have declined by nearly half (in February) from their highs entering the year (Jan. 2023), the decline has not yet been realized in the retail dairy-case, leaving shoppers asking why not."

One reason for the price rise was the killing of a large number because of bird flu. The Purina feed story came later. I think somebody maybe price gouging.
 
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Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
We have a flock of ~50 active layers and an additional 150 pullets coming into lay soon, but we don't use purina.

However, my friends who use purina and other conventional feeds are not having any abnormal problems. Egg production always slow down September thru February.

Daylight is the primary influence on egg laying frequency. Temperature, water access, feed access, general stress, molting and other things affect laying as well as secondary influencers.

There is an extremely bad bird flu going around. When 1 bird gets the bird flu in an egg laying house of 50,000 birds, the USDA forces the farmer to cull all 50,000 birds to be safe. Approximately 50,000,000 (Yes million) laying hens have been culled from the Bird flu as the article mentions in "Story At a Glance".

I've got 40 of our 150 pullets up for sale ;)
 

Earth Wind and Fire

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
  • Thanks Joe! I’m building more coups this month for some pullets and weather is getting warmer. Chickens won’t lay in the cold but my old girls are starting to lay again.
 
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Earth Wind and Fire

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
We have a flock of ~50 active layers and an additional 150 pullets coming into lay soon, but we don't use purina.

However, my friends who use purina and other conventional feeds are not having any abnormal problems. Egg production always slow down September thru February.

Daylight is the primary influence on egg laying frequency. Temperature, water access, feed access, general stress, molting and other things affect laying as well as secondary influencers.

There is an extremely bad bird flu going around. When 1 bird gets the bird flu in an egg laying house of 50,000 birds, the USDA forces the farmer to cull all 50,000 birds to be safe. Approximately 50,000,000 (Yes million) laying hens have been culled from the Bird flu as the article mentions in "Story At a Glance".

I've got 40 of our 150 pullets up for sale ;)
What breed do you have?
 

Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
What breed do you have?
For layers we have Amberlinks, Rhode Island Red, Buff Orphingtons, Easter Eggers

Each year when I refresh the flock I get a different breed so I can differentiate the old hens from the young hens.

Come April there's some Rhode Island Reds and a few amberlinks going to stewbird camp. We sell them for $4.50/lb.

We also run several hundred Cornish Cross for meat, and a flock of 40 to 80 turkeys.
 

Earth Wind and Fire

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
For layers we have Amberlinks, Rhode Island Red, Buff Orphingtons, Easter Eggers

Each year when I refresh the flock I get a different breed so I can differentiate the old hens from the young hens.

Come April there's some Rhode Island Reds and a few amberlinks going to stewbird camp. We sell them for $4.50/lb.

We also run several hundred Cornish Cross for meat, and a flock of 40 to 80 turkeys.

I like the Rhode Island Reds … very hardy and good layers. Only they don’t like other breeds as you probably found out. I’ve also had success with hybrids.
 

Earth Wind and Fire

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
My mothers family were in the butchery and poultry business with 2 stores in Pennsylvania and upstate NY. They also kept sheep and goats. My wife’s family had a farm in Sussex county NJ with chickens, horses, pigs etc. we feed chickens crumble, scratch, oatmeal, corn, hay. It’s work but it pays off. Good to raise kids with them around. Teaches responsibility and gives me something to make breakfast with.
 

kyredneck

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
we have Amberlinks

...related to ISA Browns...

"....Conclusion
Amberlink
chicken are a breed of hybrid chickens related to Isa Brown. On average, each amberlink chicken can lay about 270 eggs per year. These are medium to large sized eggs having a rich brown color.

These foraging species of chickens are fairly easy to maintain since their temperament and personality are friendly and docile. They are also cold and hot-weather hardy...."
 
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kyredneck

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
...the Anatolians have 'smoked' coyote, snakes, coons, skunks, feral cat, possums, ground hogs, muskrat, rats, chipmunks, squirrels, cottontails, field mice, and moles. (that we know of)

[add]

...and a buzzard :D
 

Earth Wind and Fire

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
...the Anatolians have 'smoked' coyote, snakes, coons, skunks, feral cat, possums, ground hogs, muskrat, rats, chipmunks, squirrels, cottontails, field mice, and moles. (that we know of)

[add]

...and a buzzard :D
My dog(Shepherd mix) did that also… when he died in August the critters started poaching chickens again. Now I’ve got a boxer dog that’s fairly guardian but not as good as the shepherd. I would love to pop the hawks but in New Jersey they would arrest me
 

Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
...related to ISA Browns...

"....Conclusion
Amberlink
chicken are a breed of hybrid chickens related to Isa Brown. On average, each amberlink chicken can lay about 270 eggs per year. These are medium to large sized eggs having a rich brown color.

These foraging species of chickens are fairly easy to maintain since their temperament and personality are friendly and docile. They are also cold and hot-weather hardy...."

We always try to use breeds that are active foragers and good layers, combined with current sales at hatcheries. I rotate the layers between two pastures that cover approximately an acre.

Here's a pic of the homeplace:
Red - Pasture 1
Blue - Pasture 2
Yellow - Garden beds
Green - Firewood and firewood processing
Pink - 8ftx24ft brooder building. Currently has 100 pullets, 3 rabbits, and 150 broiler chicks in it.

homeplace hosted at ImgBB
 

Wingman68

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
My grandmother made the best fried chicken on the planet. She also chased them down, & had them ready for the table in short order. When she was 89, someone at the family gathering teased her about whether she was ready to chase one down for dinner. She said, ‘You show me an 89 year old chicken & I’ll chase it down’. When they had to move to Florida because Grandpa’s hands turned blue in mildly cold weather, he fished his days away, & then Grandma made the best fried fish & johnny cakes on the planet. I may be mildly prejudiced, or not. Her milk gravy was what I lived for as a child. Spilled a whole steaming bowl of it onto my lap one time, trying to be first in line, she got right up and made a fresh pan of it while the mess got cleaned up.
One more story about Grandma….There were rarely presents under the tree at their house. They didn’t have the money for one, & the day was about Jesus. One year when everyone arrived there were lot’s of presents, one for each grandchild. The girls got white Bibles with their name embossed, & the boys got black. Memorable.
 
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