freespiritbutterfly Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Autumn has been a frequent layer of hard shelled eggs since Dec08 but this morning she has laid a soft one with not much of a shell? I thought chickens only laid soft eggs if the were new to laying or not eaten enough grit am i wrong in thinking this? She didn't seem herslef last night she went very quiet and kept retreating to the eglu which is very unlike her. Her crop was hard but it was the evening but she was lethargic and her tail was down. Should I be worried? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I may just be a blip. I get the odd softie from my lot. They can be quite hunched and puffed up when one is on the way, but that should pass once the softie is laid. She may just carry on now laying normal eggs and so no action needed. But if she continues with the softies you could ensure she has access to grit which contains soluable shell. Consider adding a calcium suppliment to their feed eg. Limestone Flour (or an alternative would be Zolcal D to their water). Cut out treats completely for a while and just give them their usual pellets/mash so she gets all her egg laying nutrients from her feed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 It's quite normal for a hen of any age to lay softies so don't worry . So unless it keeps happening, you should be fine . I'm getting a run of softies at the moment and have ordered Zolcal D (as Hen Watch suggests!). I have tried the limestone flour which usually works but hasn't this time and I also give them mixed grit with oystershell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Might be worth cutting back on treats and worming her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 I seem to be having a run with softies as well at the moment - wondering if it is something in this up and down weather definately upsets my moods! My girls hadn't laid a softie in months and then we have had one hen laying a run of them for several days They get enough calcium, better cut down on the treats, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
