Poultry farming is one of the most widely practiced livestock farming industries. It is therefore no surprise that we have lots of myths and misconceptions about chicken and poultry farming in general. Here are some of the most common misconceptions and myths about poultry farming:-
Chicken Can Lay More than One Egg Per Day
This is generally a common myth in the poultry industry. Some assume that if the chickens are fed well or if you choose a well performing chicken breed, then you can have hens that lay two eggs every day thus giving you great egg yields and higher profits.
But this is biologically impossible. A chicken can only lay a single egg per day. The process of egg formation takes anywhere from 25 to 26 hours to be complete. Most of the chicken eggs will be laid in the morning although sometimes the chickens lay eggs in the afternoon. But is not possible for a hen to lay twice within 24 hours under any condition.
Cockerels Can Lay Small Eggs
Again this is a common misconception that is biologically impossible. The cockerels have no ovaries and are incapable of producing any egg since egg formation cannot occur in the absence of ovaries.
A Hen Cannot Lay Eggs Without a Cockerel
This is also untrue. Hens will lay eggs whether the cockerels are present or not. Cockerels only help fertilize the eggs allowing the hens to lay eggs which can hatch. In the absence of the cockerel, the hen will still lay eggs although they won’t be fertile.
Broilers are Fed With Harmful Hormones and Steroids
This is not true. The reason the broilers grow so fast is due to good genetics, nutrition and good housing and biosecurity. Proper management or husbandry helps the broilers grow very fast and gain weight fast. Besides, hormones and steroids are banned in the poultry industry so a farmer who has to use hormones in their poultry will probably have to smuggle them and then inject the hormones in the thousands of chickens. It doesn’t make practical or economic sense.
Eggs With Yellow Yolks Are More Nutritious
There is a widely held view that eggs that have yellow yolks contain more nutrients. This is not true. The nutritional content is generally the same whether the egg has a deep yellow yolk or a pale yellow yolk. However, free range chicken breeds generally produce eggs with yellow or orange yolks and many of these are raised in free range conditions where they access varied nutrients. As a result, they are more likely to produce more nutritious eggs that happen to be yellow.
Cocks Only Crow in the Morning
Because many cocks crow in the morning, many believe that cocks are only supposed to crow in the morning and any crowing that is out of the norm means that cock is not normal. That is untrue. Cocks can crow at any time. Cocks can crow at any time, especially when startled. Cocks crow to alert other members of the flock of any impending danger or to show dominance.
Organic “Medications” are Safer than Modern Medicines
This is not true. Organic medications are generally an unknown variable and the modern medications for poultry are in fact much safer when used well. Many of these organic “medications” for poultry have not even been tested scientifically so they are unlikely to have the desired effect and treat a poultry disease.
Indigenous or native chickens are disease resistant
This is untrue. While the native chickens are generally hardier and well adapted to local conditions, they are still vulnerable to disease and infections and need regular vaccinations and medication to keep them healthy.
Chickens Lack Intelligence
Not true. Chickens are highly intelligent birds. They are clever and can even be trained to do certain things such as playing the piano. Chickens can be very inquisitive and adventurous, eager to learn and unearth things. Chickens are also very social birds and will self-regulate. themselves within the flock