4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Dave36]

We have one good layer so far, but today found two soft eggs in the mud. We are not sure which one of our four hens has layed them. But we are wondering would one hen lay both eggs or is it two new laying together?

[surferdog]

Hi and welcome . We have the same problem with our Bluebell who lays soft eggs fairly regularly. Adding limestone flour to their pellets and treats has reduced the problem but not totally cured it.

 

When she does lay softies she tends to lay two within about 10 minutes, usually in the evening and then doesn't lay the next day. So it is perfectly possible, and even likely, that your two softies have been laid by the same chicken.

[Dave36]

Many thanks for your reply, it is much apreciated, Do you know if the soft shell problem stops as the chicks get older,and also where can i buy this limestone flour from i give them grit and shell but they dont seem to eat it and they dont really like there layers pellets, although i am now mashing it and this does seem to help as i see them tucking in i also put in a few raisins to encourage them.

 

Thanks

Dave & Jo

[surferdog]

I'm hoping it will stop as she gets older but I think some chickens are always prone to laying the odd softie. I got limestone flour on ebay but you should also be able to get it from horsie shops. Mine don't eat the grit either and are not keen on pellets - I think that's the root of the problem!

[surferdog]

Sorry should have added - the limestone flour is the stuff sold for reptiles on ebay.

[Dave36]

Once again many thanks and i will be looking on ebay

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

Our Bovan's Nera is prone to softies about once a week - laying 2 softies on the same day sometimes. The other two are well established layers, so the problem shows up more because of this. They've been laying just over a month and each time she lays a softie the size of her eggs increase slightly afterwards. We use limestone flour, but it hasn't totally cured it and the other chooks are laying such strong shells that we think it's down to her make-up and accept that. It may sort ou as she gets older, but she's beautiful anyway!

 

We get our limestone flour from a local horsey shop.

[LJ's Chooks]

we have the same issue, maisy keeps laying softies and often 2 together. We add LF and she eats pellets and free ranges loads but still no improvement. She occaisonally lays a hard shell but it is often cracked. Wierd. I hope she figures it out, we've had her at least 3 months and she's a light sussex hybrid, so not sure what is going on.

[Cyber Chook]

Hi, I got some limestone flour from ebay, and in the evenings I make a little bit of mash with some Marriage's pellets (they're used to Allen and Page's, and I'm trying to get them used to the Marriages before introducing it 'full time'), plus some treats, and add a bit of flour to it.

 

Anyway, following this thread, can anyone tell me how much flour should I use for five chickens? They free-range for 2 or 3 hours a day. They've only just started laying.

 

Hope you don't mind me hi-jacking this thread, but thought you wouldn't mind as it's a related question and hopefully useful to others