Jacky Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 Hello all knowing chicken owners I need some advice. Having a few soft shell eggs have read all the advice thats on the forum but want to ask a few questions How much grit should I give the chooks? Is it ok to add to the pellets in the feeder or should i just put it in another container? My girls like to free range around the garden should I just sprinkle some around the garden? If they stay in the run more and eat pellets more is there grit in the pellets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 The grit is used by the chooks to grind up the food. For soft shelled egg problems you need calcium - lots of us give oyster shell - we put a few handfulls in with the food, some others have a separate container. Also you can use egg shells baked in the oven and then crushed - total recycling! You want to make sure that it is just lack of calcium as chooks can lay soft shelled eggs after a shock / or if they are poorly. I know loads of others will be along soon to help out. Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 We mix baked crushed eggshell into the food, but not had any soft shelled eggs yet. Hopefully that's right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 There is usually already enough calcium in pellets to keep the egg shells tough. Do your chooks free-range much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacky Posted April 11, 2006 Author Share Posted April 11, 2006 At first I let them free range all day, but have since kept them in their run in the morning and let them out in the afternoon only. I have given the baked egg shell a go, should i just keep that up all the time? Yesterdays egg was harder but not as strong as previuos eggs. Both Chickens appear in good health with no signs of any thing. As they are so new only just had them over a week I wonder if all the local sounds etc are a bit scary for them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacky Posted April 11, 2006 Author Share Posted April 11, 2006 Where do I get oyster shell from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 It generally takes a lot to scare a chook - what sort of noises? Ours seem to be ok with fireworks / thunderstorms and certainly ok with the neighbourhood noise (such as it is......) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 I'd keep them in the run for a few days, feed them pellets only with a sprinkling of mixed corn in the afternoon. Go easy on the treats. See if your eggs improve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 Ours are wimps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 Where do I get oyster shell from? Have you got a Scats near you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 And I thought you bred 'em tough up't'North Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacky Posted April 11, 2006 Author Share Posted April 11, 2006 Its proberly not noise then, because its just general the odd car next door neighbours radio, they didn't like the dustbin men the other day. I wouldn't say its that noisy here, just a usual general neighbourhood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacky Posted April 11, 2006 Author Share Posted April 11, 2006 Perhaps the treats went a little mad at the beginning and my 2 sons just love giving them stuff, will lay off treats for a while nad will keep them in the run longer. But its hard because they look at you all expecting with a look that says "LET ME OUT" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacky Posted April 11, 2006 Author Share Posted April 11, 2006 No we do not have Scats nera us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 Its called caged lion syndrome and they are all masters at it IGNORE THEM I found laying off the treats helped and I just sprinkle the oyester shell on the ground for them to forage for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 Perhaps the treats went a little mad at the beginning and my 2 sons just love giving them stuff, will lay off treats for a while nad will keep them in the run longer. But its hard because they look at you all expecting with a look that says "LET ME OUT" Yes - I know that look. Pellets, plenty of fresh water, and occasional small treats in the afternoon. They need their basics and for that they have to eat their pellets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 put the whip away grd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 Ignore their pleadings. They are very good at twisting you round their little star fish feet claws. "They must eat their dinner before they can have their pudding". Yes..... I know, easier said than done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 My two laid soft eggs for a while when they started laying. I think I was giving them too many treats for being such good girls! I got some oyster shell from a local pet shop, put it in a seperate container and the girls help themselves, although to be honest, they hardly take any. I think because they are still on grass they get all they need from the soil. My avice would be to lay off the treats for a day or two entirely, then only give a little and only in the afternoon...oh, and IGNORE their protests!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacky Posted April 11, 2006 Author Share Posted April 11, 2006 Thanks for the great advice will keep the chooks off the treats for a while I tried the pellet porridge today and they have woffed that away, they are in the run now under the winter cover (its raining and I didn't like them getting wet) I will try to ignore the "WE WANT OUT" , but they became very vocal about it this morning and number 2 son let them out cause he thought it was mean to keep them in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 put the whip away grd DON'T encourage him....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 Are you implying that I whip my chooks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 No, just us omleteers if we dare spoil the girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 No, just us omleteers if we dare spoil the girls Only in his dreams, of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
