Single hen

[Henhathnofury]

Our beloved hybrid chickens from Omlet will be two in May. The Miss Pepperpot has begun to lay soft-shelled eggs. She has always laid huge eggs every day, so I am assuming that she is coming to the end of her egg-laying life? If so, of course she will be spoilt and loved in her retirement - but I would love to hear if other henkeepers have this 'problem'

[quickcluck]

Have you tried adding some limestone flour for calcium? It maybe something as simple as that. I think 2 is early for complete retirement...

[The Dogmother]

It isn't unusual for their shell gland to get knackered towards the end of their egg-laying career. Especially with hybrids, who lay many more eggs than pure breeds.

 

Try limestone flour as mentioned above or a liquid calcium supplement like Davinova or Zolcal.

[Hen Watch]

Hi Henhathnofury,

 

My Omlet girls arrived almost 2 years ago in April 07. So if they were POL then I guess they are aroung 2 years 3/4 months old now.

 

Last few months now I get mostly 1 egg a day from 4 hens. Sometimes 2. Seeing more softies now too even with Limestone Flour, Grit, Worming etc. So I think that they are coming to the end of their hybrid egg laying days and will spend their days with me in retirement. Not looking forward to having to buy eggs but will have to as I don't have the space for more hens.

[Lydia]

At 2 years old they'll certainly be slowing down but could go on laying for another year or so, albeit not every day. Try adding some calcium or get hold of the special ex-bat food from Allen & Page.

 

Incidentally my Miss Pepperpot turned 4 this month and hasn't laid for about 6-8 months - but decided to pop out an egg this morning!

[Baggins]

I agree with all of the above.

 

My original Miss Pepperpot, Pepper (how original ), arrived on October 14th 2005 and went through a soft shell phase. However, 3 1/2 years later and she is still happy and healthy and laying an egg every other day I love her to bits.

[Henhathnofury]

Ah you are all so lovely and it's gorgeous to hear that you are as crazy about your girls as I am....

 

My Pepperpot laid a large hard-shelled egg today and I must admit that I am wary of adding some calcium, simply because the other girls don't need it and I have heard that if not needed, it can be of detrimental effect. I think that she is, on reflection, simply slowing down. She is quiet but still herself....just older.

 

Thanks all though...I will keep an eye on her and if she does a series of softies, I may have to think about the calcium....

[wombatally]

Wow, I didn't realise that the hybrids started to slow down so soon, I suppose over a lifetime then they lay about the same as a pure breed as they seem to lay for longer (albeit often sporadically)?

 

Alison

[The Dogmother]

I have three pure breeds who look like they've stopped laying, but they are all over 3 years old, in fact one is 5.

 

They're lovely ladies and deserve a happy retirement. I start the girls on BHWT feed soon, so we'lll see if it makes a difference to the old-timers.