Single hen

[broni.jones]

hello, i have 6 hens in lay at the moment. 3 (hybrids) who are about 1 1/2 years old. i have 3 young other young hens that i hatched which have just come into lay about 2 weeks ago.

 

one of my older girls rocky (a black rock) was the only hen to lay right through the winter. towards december/jan time the eggs became very rough at one end & the shells were not very strong. i started giving extra 'calci boost' (lime flour?) + poultary spice more regularly in thier feed (now every day) . i have also been worming them vith verm ex. i always add 'life gaurd' tonic to thier water. they eat layers pellets (a&p from pets at home)

 

the black rock is now laying soft shelled eggs ( on & off for 2 weeks).

 

now one or maybe 2 of my younger birds have also started laying soft shelled eggs after giving me lovel blue & white ones for a week.

 

i am not sure what is going wrong! i think i am giving the correct food & suppliments. the birds have access to fresh water & are given trats like mealworms, fruit & veg.

 

the birds look healthy. they have lovely glossy feathers (not moulting!). they seem vvery happy)

 

why are they laying softies? any ideas? what can i do?

[Christian]

Hi Broni,

 

They could have worms as I personally do not rate Vermx very highly. Try Flubenvet - do a search on here - FAQs section for suppliers. If they do have worms they will cause a reduction in shell quality.

 

I would cut back on the vitamins and tonic too. Just feed pellets and cut back on the treats.

 

More details **here**

 

Good luck with the shells.

 

 

edited to add link

[broni.jones]

cheers,

i have just ordered some flubenvet & Zolcal D.

thanks for the advise