Couperman Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 We use Organic Layers Pellets enriched with Omega 3. I am told our eggs taste better than other garden hens eggs people have tried that are fed on standard cheaper pellets, I can't vouch for this myself as I have no need to try anyone elses. Now, as I understand it Omega 3 helps to reduce cholesterol, and I recall my doctor saying that eggs are high in cholesterol. So, are the eggs of hens fed on Omega 3 better for you than those that aren't or is it just the hen who gets the benefit? The reason I ask is I did an M&S style 'These aren't just any old eggs, these are nearly free range, super fresh, Omega 3 enriched Coupereggs with added poo' joke in the pub last week. And as I result I may have be falsely promoting our eggs as a super health food that lowers cholesterol. I asked Mr Google and opinion seems divided as to whether eggs help to reduce cholesterol or actually make it worse. I would think battery hens eggs might make it worse Anyone know the truth? Should we eat three eggs a week or ten a day? Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 Eggs naturally contain Omega 3 anyway. I'm guessing though that if the feed is enriched with Omega 3, then the eggs produced should contain a higher amount. The most natural way to feed a hen is on just mixed corn. Layers pellets are created from waste products creating during the manufacturing process for human food. For example when seeds are pressed and vegetable oil is extracted, the dry husk that remains will be turned into animal feed. This is then mixed and compressed together, dried and cut into pellet shapes with vitamins added which hens should acquire naturally from free ranging and eating mixed corn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 So if we have hens that free range every day we could mostly feed them on mixed corn then ? My hens definitely prefer the corn but I'd understood too much of it made them fat and less likely to lay ! I'd prefer to use feed that is less processed if I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I don't have a problem with by-products being used for something else, rather than going to waste. I guess when it comes to feeding a balanced diet to chickens, though, you can't control what they eat whilst free-ranging, so it kind of depends on where that is - I know in my back garden they dessimate slugs, snails, worms, other beasties, and flowers... but I wouldn't have thought they'd get all the nutrition they need from that area. I guess the Omega3 in your layers pellets must pass through to the egg, though. I thought egg yolks were high in cholestrol but not the bad kind? Not sure though, I think the health-advice of a few years ago re: eggs has dropped out of favour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 Mixed corn is the most natural and un processed feed for chickens. Assuming that your hens get time to free range each day then yes, they should get enough protein, vitamins and minerals etc. Mixed corn is exactly what most farmers feed chickens, they also tend to just sprinkle a handful adlib rather than keep it in a feeder. They should not get fat just because they eat mixed corn. They do prefer it to layers pellets but should still stop when full. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilda-and-evadne Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 Layers pellets are created from waste products creating during the manufacturing process for human food. For example when seeds are pressed and vegetable oil is extracted, the dry husk that remains will be turned into animal feed. This is then mixed and compressed together, dried and cut into pellet shapes with vitamins added which hens should acquire naturally from free ranging and eating mixed corn. I don't think this is correct. Layers pellets are formulated as a complete, nutritionally balanced, food for hens, from crushed grains with added vitamins. From what I have read, corn is nearly all carbohydrate and does not have enough protein on its own; it's like giving children only chocolate to eat. If hens free-range all day and widely, they might eat enough protein in the shape of insects etc. If they can free-range only when they can be supervised, to protect them from foxes, then the pellets ensure that they nevertheless get everything they need. Look, this site sells both corn and pellets, and the corn is described as a treat food. http://www.ascott-dairy.co.uk/acatalog/The_Organic_Feed_Company_Poultry_Feeds.html#aFE66 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I asked Mr Google and opinion seems divided as to whether eggs help to reduce cholesterol or actually make it worse. I would think battery hens eggs might make it worse Anyone know the truth? Should we eat three eggs a week or ten a day? Kev. As always what we are recommended to eat is continually changing and conflicting. Eggs did get some bad press a while ago saying that it makes your cholesterol levels raise. Recently eggs have been deemed good for you and that 1 egg a day can help to lower your cholesterol. Basically like most things in life, it's OK in moderation! I wouldn't eat eggs all day long, but 1-2 eggs a day should do no harm when eaten as part of a healthy lifestyle... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 (edited) I don't think this is correct. Layers pellets are formulated as a complete, nutritionally balanced, food for hens, from crushed grains with added vitamins. From what I have read, corn is nearly all carbohydrate and does not have enough protein on its own; it's like giving children only chocolate to eat. If hens free-range all day and widely, they might eat enough protein in the shape of insects etc. If they can free-range only when they can be supervised, to protect them from foxes, then the pellets ensure that they nevertheless get everything they need. Look, this site sells both corn and pellets, and the corn is described as a treat food. http://www.ascott-dairy.co.uk/acatalog/The_Organic_Feed_Company_Poultry_Feeds.html#aFE66 It is correct, I know the process within the industry. Layers pellets are created as a waste by product from food produced for humans. Please do tell me what goodness is contained within dried rusks etc. It is basically just used as a platform to pump artificially added vitamins into. Yes they are formulated and nutritionally balanced, I never disagreed with this. I stated that "Mixed corn is the most natural and un processed feed for chickens." I also stated that "Mixed corn is exactly what most farmers feed chickens, they also tend to just sprinkle a handful adlib rather than keep it in a feeder." And "Assuming that your hens get time to free range each day then yes, they should get enough protein, vitamins and minerals etc." Hence mixed corn should be fed as a treat. The layers pellets are designed as an artificially processed substitute for free ranging. And I haven't ordered people to stop using layers pellets, I have merely offered advice so that people can make their own informed decision based upon the facts (which fellow omleteers may not have been aware of). I am willing to be corrected if you can find conflicting evidence to the contrary regarding the manufacturing process of layers pellets. Edited April 18, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilda-and-evadne Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 It is correct, I know the process within the industry. What does that mean? Quote some sources. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 It is correct, I know the process within the industry. What does that mean? Quote some sources. It mean's I am interested in knowing how and why everything is constructed and I'm not just content with using things without knowing how it is made. I have a large collection of video's which I downloaded off the internet because the TV programme wasn't aired in the UK. It is called How It's Made: http://imdb.com/title/tt0835010/ and they show how virtually every item is manufactured including animal feed. You would be surprised what an eye opener it is... I also know a few of the local farmers and have talked to them about it as they do things on a much larger scale and have close links with our local feed mill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted April 18, 2008 Author Share Posted April 18, 2008 I am not particularly worried about how they are manufactured. The manufacturer states that they are 100% Organic and list all the ingredients, that's good enough for me. (see link below.) http://www.organicfeed.co.uk/ We feed mixed corn too usually in with the pellets at a ratio of 1 scoop to 4 scoops of pellets. I was more interested in whether or not the Omega 3 part of the ingredients transferred to the egg resulting in a healthier egg or whether it was of benefit to the hen only. Does anyone know for sure? Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I was more interested in whether or not the Omega 3 part of the ingredients transferred to the egg resulting in a healthier egg or whether it was of benefit to the hen only. Does anyone know for sure? Kev. Sorry I cannot 100% guarantee that more omega 3 would be passed through to the egg as a result of using omega 3 enriched feed. Perhaps someone else with more knowledge in this specific area will come along to help soon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 It is still not a 100% guarantee, but I hope this helps... Here a supplier is describing their eggs, where their hens have been fed with omega 3 enriched feed: "Omega-3 eggs are a rich source of essential Omega-3 fatty acids, providing more than double the Omega-3 fatty acids available from regular organic eggs" On this website: http://www.organicvalley.coop/faq/eggs/omega-3-eggs/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 i found this... http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2003/04/30_hetlandc_omegaeggs/ I will tell kev but thought that you lot might be interested too cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 And I haven't ordered people to stop using layers pellets.... Who says you ordered anyone to stop feeding pellets Offspring? Maybe I couldn't see that remark? I know that Smallholder do a range of omega-3 enriched pellets/mash but I use Marriages mash as i find it much grainier than other mash, which can be very powdery. The marriages one has whole pieces of grain/wheat etc in it, not just husks, which the hens enjoy. I give them a mash porridge most night, with a little cod liver oil every now and again. They also enjoy spring greens, such as spinach and chard when I am around. The omega-3 debate is now with fish fingers too I thought fish fingers contained omega 3 as it was fish???? Sorry Kev, can't help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 To answer Kev; I can't guarantee this as I can't quote an exact source, but I definitely heard something on radio 4 about 2 years ago about this subject. The discussion was certainly implying that feeding linseed (high in Omega 3) to hens resulted in high Omega 3 content eggs. As I say, I can't remember the whole thing, but I know I did take that info. to be true as I have been buying linseed for them ever since & giving a small sprinle now and then. They love linseed, but I ration it. I bought my large bag from an Asian foodstore so I don't know how readily available it is elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 Sorry Kev, can't help with the Omega 3, but I do know that, although eggs are high in cholesterol, eating neat cholesterol does not cause health problems. Our bodies convert the saturated fats that we eat into cholesterol and it is that that does the damage. So eggs are definitely good for you, and may possibly be even better if they also give us more Omega 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted April 18, 2008 Author Share Posted April 18, 2008 Thanks everyone. It seems I wasn't selling under false pretences after all. Apparently I was selling myself short though! People are willing to pay double if they can be guaranteed a half doz every week I think £1 for half a doz is OK it pays for the feed. First come first served with the excess we can't use, 'I'll give you £2 a box' makes me laugh, It's like they think we keep hens for profit! I just wish people would bring the egg boxes back Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 I just wish people would bring the egg boxes back Some people on here charge extra for the box - returned box = £1, with box £1.20 for example. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 I hate the smell of the pellets. I'd much rather just feed them corn if I was assured they wouldn't suffer for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 is it better all round then? im feeding on layers pellets at min but had thought about organic? is this the best place or only place to buy from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...