Eggcellent+Peanuts 

Title: Eggcellent Peanuts

Abstract: This experiment will determine if protein affects chicken eggs. We will feed laying hens nonshelled peanuts and will weigh and measure their eggs. I believe the eggs will grow 20% from the control group.

Purpose: The purpose of this science experiment is to determine if peanuts effect the size and mass of chicken eggs. Studies have shown that adding protein to a chickens diet creates larger chicken eggs. (Studies 2011) Past studies have also shown that the production of eggs increases as well. (Value 2006) Peanuts increase the size and mass of chicken eggs according to a past study. (Feeding 2004) I will feed the chickens 0%, 10% and 20% of nonshelled peanuts per 40 pounds of chicken feed. Then I will collect the eggs each day and weigh and measure them with a scale and caliper. I will write the information in a log. This experiment has been done previously with the results being positive. (Theory 2012) According to research, the size and mass of eggs can be affected by the amount of fat and protein in a laying hen's diet. (Backyard 2012) The eggs should become larger, rounder, and heavier. (Tastier 2012) Eggs produced from laying hens will be examined in this investigation. It was hypothesized that increasing the amount of peanuts in a laying hen's diet would increase the size and mass of its egg. I hope to be able to help our chickens produce larger eggs with this science experiment.

Hypothesis: If peanuts are added to the feed, then the eggs should become approximately 20% larger.

Procedure: To begin with I will start the chickens out of regular feed with no peanuts added to it. The feed has no peanuts in it, so this week will be my controlled week. I then will measure the eggs for this week by measuring the size with a caliper and the e weight with a scale. I will record my findings within a log book. The next week 10% of the fees will consist of peanuts. I will measure the peanuts out. I will then blend the peanuts into smaller pieces to add to the feed. Again I will measure the size of the eggs for this week using a caliper and the weight of the eggs using a scale. Then the results will be added to the log book. For the final week 20% of the feed will consist of peanuts. Then I will measure the peanuts out and will blend them into smaller pieces. I will add this to the fees and will measure the eggs the hens produce. The size will be measured by a caliper, while the weight will be measured by a scale. I will record these findings into the log book. I will then based in my research conclude my studies.

Materials: Farm fresh eggs Caliper Chicken feed Nonshelled Peanuts Scale

Data: No Peanuts || 2.54 || 3.67 || 2.34 || 10% Peanuts || 2.69 || 3.78 || 3.04 || 20% Peanuts || 3.09 || 3.93 || 3.45 ||
 * || Weight || Height || Width ||
 * Week 1
 * Week 2
 * Week 3

Analysis: Upon finding the information the peanuts would grow with the peanuts added. The control group of eggs begin with an average weight of 2.54, height of 3.67, and width of 2.34. The second group of eggs, the ones with 10% peanuts had an average weight of 2.69, height of 3.78, and width of 3.04. This group grew about 9.53% from the original control group. The final group had an average weight of 3.09, height of 3.93, and width of 3.45. They grew 6.548% from the second group. These eggs only grew 16.078% from the control eggs. This data disproves my hypothesis. Now that I have finshed this experiment, I know that it might not be an economical choice to have the chickens eat peanuts.

Conclusion: My original hypothesis, "If peanuts are added to the feed, then the eggs should become approximately 20% larger." was proved incorrect by the data. The eggs grew only 16.078% from the original control group.

Limitations: This experiment had room for few errors. Most errors would come from the nature factor, on colder days the hens produced less. I have to measure the eggs height and width by hand meaning I could have easily messed up. I was weighing the eggs by a kitchen scale, the scale could have said the wrong number. ~nature error can be fixed if chickens were in a more controled environment ~human error can be fixed if more than one person measured the eggs ~mechanical error can be fixed with measuring the eggs more than once with different types of scales

New Hypothesis: If peanuts are added to a laying hens diet, the eggs should become 10% larger.

Works Cited: "Studies on Feeding Peanut Meal as a Protein Source For Broiler Chickens." N.p., 2011. Web.

"The Value of Peanuts and Peanut Meal in Rations for Chickens." N.p., 2006. n.d. Web.

"Feeding Chickens." N.p., 2004. n.d. Web. http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/History/2003/Projects/J1918.pdf

"Fabricius' Theory of Embryology." // Encyclopedia of Scientific Principles, Laws, and Theories //. Robert E. Krebs. Vol. 1. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2008. [173]-174. // Gale Virtual Reference Library //. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.

Woginrich, Jenna. "Backyard chicken basics: they're less work than pets and more fun than an Xbox. Plus, they provide delicious, nutritious eggs." // Mother Earth News // Apr.-May 2011: 44+. // Gale Student Resources In Context //. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.

Bill Arnold. "Tastier eggs?" // E // Nov.-Dec. 2007: 9. // Gale Student Resources In Context //. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.