Chickaboo Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Phoebe has been laying lots of softies for some time. But we have witnessed a few lately , and I'm concerned as the egg shell is coming out broken - white first, yolk, then broken shell. What if it doesn't all come out? If it stays in could it become infected? She seems fine otherwise, I have been giving her chicken spice, but am going to try limestone flour on somebodys recommendation. I'm very worried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucknette Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Hi Chickaboo One of my gingernut rangers started to lay soft eggs in the exact manner that you have discribed. You say she is 2yrs old, well she could be coming to the end of her laying. Mine layed really well but as soon as she hit 2yrs old she constantly layed softies and then stopped altogther at about the age of 2yrs 3mths. She lived quite happily for another 2yrs pottering about with the other girls and passed away peacefully in her sleep. The limestone flour is a good idea as it will help her laying tackle and probably make her a bit more comfortable. Hope this helps Best Wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickaboo Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 I'd never thought of that, maybe she coming to the end of egg laying?? Do you know if there is a risk of broken shell being retained? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucknette Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Hi Chickaboo I found that my girl was able to eventually expell pieces of shell. It came out in long threadles, at first I thought they were long worms but on closer inspection it was soft shell. I used to gently pull any bits that were hanging out so as not to attract the other hens. She was very happy and quite ok with me to do this for her and then she just completely stopped laying. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 You could also try some Davinova C in the drinking water and some cod liver oil mixed in the feed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickaboo Posted July 24, 2008 Author Share Posted July 24, 2008 Yes that does help - I'm just so worried about egg shell getting stuck in 'there' I do give her cod liver oil, but probably not that frequently - how much and how often would you recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
