Take part in study on PFAS 'forever chemicals' in eggs

[sootem]

My girls are only 19 weeks old and we have had them for one week. On Thursday we had our first egg - small but perfectly formed and a good hard shell.

 

Yesterday morning I found two soft shelled eggs under the roosting bars. Is this normal for young birds? Do I need to get some limestone flour and if so can you tell me where to order it from online.

 

Hope you all can advise.

 

Susan

[Egluntyne]

As they are new to laying it is probably just a blip.....they take a week or two to settle into it.

 

You can get Limestone Flour from Ebay....as sold for reptiles, or from a local equestrian type shop.

 

Large amounts would be very expensive to post.

[sootem]

Thank you Egluntine, you are probably right it's because they are so young. I'll just wait and see.

Susanx

[Phosphorus]

I am having the same problem - two perfect eggs last week and then double softies 3 days in a row (am assuming the same girl but can't tell as over night!). Emailed the breeder and she said to me it takes about 2 weeks for the laying to settle down and they can be up and down like this. Interestingly, as I was mentioning limestone flour and oyster shell (I have the latter in my run) - she said to take the oyster shell out and that they can overdose on calcium especially if getting greens, as well, as treats- she doesn't advise extra calcium on top of layers pellets until after the first moult.

 

Not sure how true this is but have taken the oyster shell out and am waiting to see.She is a trained vetinary nurse so must know something Also wondered whether the hot weather isn't helping but you are not alone

[Phosphorus]

Just to put your mind at rest - Roast who laid a few tiny eggs and then (I now am sure it was her) laid softies twice a day for 3 days, has today laid a beautiful firm shelled 62g egg.

 

It really does seem that they need a while to get sorted once they start laying. I didn't result to the limestone flour in the end and even took out the extra oyster shell (I did make sure they still had extra grit)