Let's talk eggs..

bornintoit

A._Badger wrote: »

Out of interest, why would anyone feed chickens a vegetarian diet? Chickens are omnivores! I wonder if they follow them around, telling them not to eat worms, bugs and grubs?

There is a big difference between eating worms etc when outside and being fed the sort of "meat" that is generally known to be in non-vegetarian feed. Abit like comparing an organic rump steak to a tesco value cottage pie. So a vegetarian feed plus worms, grubs etc when outside is better than feeding the chickens a non-vegetarian feed. Of course some people don't care what livestock are fed but to others though it is a big consideration.

soappie

Having six hens myself, I have come to realise that, actually, the gorgeousness of the eggs is not just to do with the free range bit - it appears to have more to do with the freshness factor...

Frying a day old egg sunnyside up; gives a completely different product to one that has been fried in the same way but at the age of three days...

Similarly, scrambled eggs, yorkshire puddings and cakes made using my hens' eggs take on a completely different appearance/taste/smell to those cooked using supermarket eggs (which, on the face of it, are at a minimum, probably, a week old before they even get put on the shelf...)

A._Badger

bornintoit wrote: »

There is a big difference between eating worms etc when outside and being fed the sort of "meat" that is generally known to be in non-vegetarian feed. Abit like comparing an organic rump steak to a tesco value cottage pie. So a vegetarian feed plus worms, grubs etc when outside is better than feeding the chickens a non-vegetarian feed. Of course some people don't care what livestock are fed but to others though it is a big consideration.

And some of us, who actually keep and care for livestock, recognise twaddle when they see it.

Chickens have been raised and reared on leftovers ever since human beings domesticated them. We eat the steak, they eat the bits we don't care for. Believe me, chickens neither know nor care. What they need and crave is a goodly portion of protein in their diets, as evolution has led them to require, and if they are deprived of it by well meaning romantics, they suffer.

A._Badger

soappie wrote: »

Having six hens myself, I have come to realise that, actually, the gorgeousness of the eggs is not just to do with the free range bit - it appears to have more to do with the freshness factor...

Frying a day old egg sunnyside up; gives a completely different product to one that has been fried in the same way but at the age of three days...

Similarly, scrambled eggs, yorkshire puddings and cakes made using my hens' eggs take on a completely different appearance/taste/smell to those cooked using supermarket eggs (which, on the face of it, are at a minimum, probably, a week old before they even get put on the shelf...)

Freshness may have a part to play (it can actually have a negative one when it comes to shelling a hard boiled egg, but I digress). The main factors are the breed of hen, the quality of her diet and her general health and happiness.

Lovely creatures, hens. Cockerels can be a bit of a pain, though!

Incidentally, why was this thread moved? Wouldn't it have been polite for someone to have told us why? AFAICS it belonged perfectly where it was.

Stephen_Leak

Older eggs are better for hard boiling. Which reminds me, my pickled egg jar is empty.

Just be thankful that the thread is still around.

bornintoit

A._Badger wrote: »

And some of us, who actually keep and care for livestock, recognise twaddle when they see it.

Chickens have been raised and reared on leftovers ever since human beings domesticated them. We eat the steak, they eat the bits we don't care for. Believe me, chickens neither know nor care. What they need and crave is a goodly portion of protein in their diets, as evolution has led them to require, and if they are deprived of it by well meaning romantics, they suffer.

You do know right that it is illegal to give leftovers to chickens now don't you?

Maybe you should take a trip over to DEFRA and take a look as apparently you can be sent to jail for up to 2 years.

You cannot feed any kind of catering waste to farmed animals. Catering
waste is defined as all waste food, whether raw or cooked, including used
cooking oils (UCO), which arise in premises such as:
• Household kitchens

'It has been illegal to feed catering waste to farmed animals in the UK since 2001' and that 'Farmed animals' includes any pet animals that belong to a farmed species, such as pet pigs, goats and poultry'.

Edwardia

I did and don't have any chickens. It's sensible because a sandwich thrown away by foreign tourists led to last Foot & Mouth outbreak. My local council collectss food waste weekly, composts it and sells it. Judging by the amount of fast food outlets I don't think local food waste would produce great eggs

Penny-Pincher!!

Ive found the nicest FR eggs are at Morrisons and usually they are 15 (family sized box) for £2.50 and sometimes on special at £2. They seem bigger than medium sized eggs too.
Because of the price of eggs now, we don't eat as often or have less. If we have scrambled egg for breakfast we use 3 with milk and a little grated cheddar and this does enough to just cover 6 slices of toast. If we have egg and chips, then there is just 1 egg each, the same with a brunch or cooked breakfast.
The best eggs Ive ever tasted are the Duchy organic ones, but they are very expensive unless they are on a great deal or can utilise a voucher with them.

~Chameleon~

I fail to understand why people think eggs are expensive or feel they have to limit the number they eat in their diet. They are a great source of protein, vitamins, minerals and low in saturated fats costing as little as 16p each. You'd struggle to find a comparable source of protein for less money

A._Badger

bornintoit wrote: »

You do know right that it is illegal to give leftovers to chickens now don't you?

Maybe you should take a trip over to DEFRA and take a look as apparently you can be sent to jail for up to 2 years.

And maybe you shouldn't make assumptions. As a chicken keeper I am quite well aware of the regulations, thank you. The point I was making is that chickens are omnivores and require a proper mix of protein sources in their diet. Whatever DEFRA's regulations may say, chickens have been fed on meat products ever since they were domesticated and continue to be so around the word.

Feeding chicken a vegetarian diet is an affectation that has nothing to do with the chicken and a lot to do with the faddy obsessions of the worried well.