Chickaboo Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Phoebe has been laying soft/weak shelled eggs for some time now (although when she first started laying they were ok- she is about 2yrs old). Last night she was out in the garden, and I noticed she was standing all quiet and hunched up, so I went to check on her and clear liquid (clearly egg white) was pouring out of her, then she layed a broken shelled rubbery egg - which she promptly ate I have found these eggs in the nest before, so clearly this is how they are layed. But I was a bit alarmed to be honest, and a bit concerned that they are coming out of broken (I always thought her eggs came out intact and she broke the soft shell to eat them). I have been giving her chicken spice, which I think helped a bit, and to be honest she hasn't had any for a couple of weeks. But is this ok? I'm scared one day all the egg won't come out and she could get egg peritonitis. Is there anything else I can do? She is absolutly fine now - but actually seeing it has worried me. Also she has the same diet as Daphne, who lays the biggest strongest shelled eggs going Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Maybe she just needs a bit more calcium. Why not add a bit of limestone flour to the pellets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickaboo Posted July 14, 2008 Author Share Posted July 14, 2008 Is limestone flour better than chicken spice for calcium? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Is limestone flour better than chicken spice for calcium? I tend to give limestone flour every day now as I have one laying thin shelled eggs (not softies though). Just looked at my Poultry Spice tin which has 24% calcium listed. The Balileys brand of Limestone Flour says 39.4% calcium......?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickaboo Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 I put a post on last week about seeing Phoebe lay a softie (she has done for a long while) - but they are not just soft, the the shell actually comes out broken - egg white first, then yolk, then broken shell (the shell is almost rubber like). She seems absolutly fine after laying it, but I'm worried not all the shell is coming out and what if it stays in and becomes infected?? Does anyone have experiance of this. She has chicken spice at the moment which hasn't really helped, but I'm going to try limestone flour on somebodys recommendation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickaboo Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 Sorry that was meant to be a new post - Monday morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 keep an eye on her if she seems ill take her to a vet quickly. If you know she is doing it you are at least aware and able to take action if needed! beginning to feel like a softee expert.(but NOT) had loads! and HAVE almost lost one to peritonitis.(vet didn't think she would make it!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 You could always try adding Zolcal D to the drinking water. This stopped my girl laying softies. It has Vit D3 as well as Calcium, and without D3 the body can't absorb all the calcium from the chicken spice or limestone flour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Davinova C is also good - add to water. Contains calcium and vit D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 I was pleased initially as Zolcal D seemed to stop the softees. Maybe I should not have stopped the Limestone flour as an extra(already added to mash with Garlic. P spice, & D Earth! I decided to dose individually as then I could be sure the ones that needed it got the full dose. one girl is better her friend that hasn't laid a softee since May laid one & my other 3 softtees since August girl has laid 3 in a row!!!!(3 in a row but with 3 goodies in the same period! ie. every 12 hours clearly there are other factors at play moults etc & the possibility that girl 1 had egg drop sydrome & the others have now got it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
