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

[Leicester_H]

Hi

My 2 seem to be having a phase of laying eggs with very thin shells or no shells (only a few of the latter)

- was about 1 or 2 a week, but now its more often than not.

 

On another thread I have said I'm giving approx 1 level tsp of limestone flour per 2 chickens per day - does this sound about right ? (I have no idea!!)

 

I am going on hols soon and don't want my neighbours to have any problems.

 

I am also confining them to the run (staring today) as maybe its something they're eating when they're out ??

 

They normally have organic layer pellets, garlic powder and poultry spice.

They don't seem to want to eat additional grit.

They seem fine in every other way - so I assume they're OK and its just a phase ??

 

Any other advice gratefully recieved, Thanks, H

[..lay a little egg for me]

Hi

 

I'd be interested to see what the more experienced people say, but I have been struck by the quantity of eggshell one generates (I bake it, crush it and feed it back to the girls). This suggests to me that they need a lot of calcium! I also noticed the other day that the pot of grit & oyster shell had gone down considerably (previously they hardly touched it) and at the same time, their shells seemed to get stronger (one girl in particular was giving fairly thin shelled eggs).

 

Maybe they do need more?

[Hen Watch]

Hazel you seem to have got your eglu about the same time as me, April last year.

 

I've got one that's been laying softies for a while now, can't identify which. I'm giving limestone flour and worming them again just in case it's that.

 

It did cross my mind though that maybe as prolific egg laying hybrids who have churned out an egg everyday, maybe they will start to slow up now after a year of all out production???? Maybe someone else can help on this.

[Leicester_H]

Hi Henwatch

Maybe our girls are sisters!!

 

I'm not too worried at present. Its just, as I say, I'm off on hols soon, and don't want there to be a 'real' problem while I'm away.

 

More porridge with limestone flour for my 2 this afternoon!!

 

H

[Egluntyne]

Maybe they need some Vit D to help metabolise the calcium.

 

You could give them Zolcal D in their drinking water, or sprinkle a few drops of cod liver oil into their pellets.