Commercial hen huts are NASTY The little buggers are de-beaked, crammed in really tight quarters until they are ready to lay, pumped full of drugs, then forced to live in a tiny cage only large enough to stand and poop in. Lights are on 24/7 so they will lay all year round. Most layers at a good farm or free ranging will lay for four or more years. A hot house hen will live maybe two years, never see daylight, have lost her feathers a few months after she first lays and break your heart to see.
A bunch of peeps from the feed store are not the generic white chickens, but heirloom or just plain interesting to look at. Lots smarter too. They are superior pets since they live outside, keep bugs down, live around 20 years and do not bark or need to go for a walk. Also gets the neighbors really interested in your chickens. I have folks walking past the house letting me know there is a chicken standing in the middle of the road and I should go save it. I have to tell these nice folks it is not my hen, but one of the other half dozen neighbors' who have hens. clay On 25 Feb 2008, at 08:28, Mitch Haley wrote: > Jim Cathey wrote: >> It'll be cheaper to buy eggs than to buy commercial chicken >> feed, which is nutritionally balanced for layers. > > There was an article in Mother Earth News recently which found that > free range > or pastured hens (lots of protein in those bugs, and chickens > provide free bug > and grub control) produced significantly more nutritious eggs than > commercial > eggs. > http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Food/2007-10-01/Tests-Reveal- > Healthier-Eggs.aspx > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
