Gruffalo Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I'm hoping someone will be able to give me some advice about our gingernut ranger Daisy. We got her from Omlet at the end of November and she started laying about three weeks ago. Unfortunately the shells have all been really soft and the girls have squished them before we got to them. We started giving her eggshells and also oystershell grit and we had one egg that while still soft I could actually pick up. Since then though, it seems to have got worse and I'm not sure she is laying eggs with any shells at all. I've found a number of broken eggs in the droppings tray with no shell anywhere. Are they just eating them, or is she getting worse? How long does it take for the grit to work? Is it just because she is young or could this be a sign of something else? She is smaller than Mavis her Miss pepperpot companion, and before she lays an egg her breast seems all puffed up on one side. Mavis has been laying normal eggs for about a week, so we must be doing something right. Hope someone can help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 When they first start laying you will get a spell of odd shaped eggs, small eggs or softies. You've done the right thing by giving the grit, oyster shell etc - so it shouldnt be long until they toughen up. Some people put limestone flour in with the chickens food to toughen up eggshells. Are they eating enough pellets? Layers pellets contain all the vitamins/nutrients that are required for laying. If it were me I would maybe cut down on the treats for a little while and make sure they tuck into their pellets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 When one of mine did this for a few weeks recently, I gave them limestone flour, made sure the grit was always topped up and also gave them some cod liver oil. She's back on track now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Eggshell and oystershell grit is good. She is just new to all this egg laying business and it will probably right itself in due course. Hens do sometimes puff themselves up if they are laying a softie and look a bit out of sorts but it generally passes once the softie is laid. If you want to buy some Limestone Flour (which is just powdered calcium) to add a teaspoon to their pellets you could do that as well. Buy it from horse supply shops. This is the stuff about £4 a tub - brand names are Baileys, or NAF etc.... http://www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk/whatproduct/supplements/lime.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Limestone flour really is excellent, but if that isn't working then try some Davinova in the water - that is a high strength calcium supplement. If none of them work, then you may have a hen with a wonky shell gland - this is unusual but does happen. If that's the case, then she is unlikely to lay hard shells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruffalo Posted January 27, 2009 Author Share Posted January 27, 2009 Thank you for all of that I will certainly try the flour. I'm not sure if they are eating enough layers pellets as I do let them free range around the garden most days. Nothing else wrong with her as I've just had to retrieve her from next door. She is such an escape artist! How long do you think it would take for the flour to work? Mavis Daisy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Should only take a week to show results Gruffalo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruffalo Posted February 9, 2009 Author Share Posted February 9, 2009 Just wanted to update you and to say thank you. We are giving the girls oystershell grit, limestone flour and making them hot mash in the mornings out of layers pellets which they love! Then on friday and again yesterday, Daisy has laid proper eggs, so hooray, it has all worked. Thank you for the advice I really appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 That's good news . Glad it's all worked out . (Feels great when you take advice from here and it works, doesn't it .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
