pollenbird Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Morning all, Just a quick query - apologies if it's been covered before! Squeak and Noodles (gingernut rangers) arrived last August and have been laying since Oct/Nov - we've had 2 eggs practically every day since . Noodles is much slighter and nervier than Squeak who is a proper fat Beatrix Potter chick! Over the last week, Noodles has laid 2 soft shelled eggs and that's it! Squeak's laying fine as usual. They both have the same diet...pellets & grit available all day and treats/free ranging in the afternoon/eve. Noodles seems to be eating and drinking as normal but just not laying. Is there anything I could do to encourage her to start laying again? Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Try giving her limestone flour. You can get it from horsey suppliers. It helps make strong shells. Someone with more knowledge and experience will be along with more ideas soon, I'm sure. Is she moulting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 I have only once had a chicken lay a "softie" and never since I started grinding up the shells of any eggs and feeding that back to them. I just mix it in with their feed/porridge etc. It's definitely that they need the calcium and one of them at least isn't getting enough from your feed. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pollenbird Posted April 7, 2008 Author Share Posted April 7, 2008 She doesn't seem to be moulting...well there don't seem to be feathers in the litter tray or the run...although it's so cold (in April!!) that maybe she's holding onto her feathers? It's weird 'cos Squeak's eggs have pretty tough shells on them - maybe she's selectively eating all the grit! thanks for the tip though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...