4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[cluckynikki]

Hello everyone,

 

I am getting a bit worried about one of my hen's Tilly producing giant eggs. She has produced two on the trot now. Yesterday's was 87gm and today's 84gm. They look monstrous and won't even fit in the egg rack in the fridge! Normally her eggs weigh in at around 58gm.

 

I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like for her, poor thing. She's only been laying for about 6 weeks so must have had quite a shock herself.

 

Can anyone reassure me that she is going to be ok. I should think it will take its toll on her.

 

I have a theory though. They get pellets and free range most of the day. When they go back into their run for the night they get corn and bran as a treat, but my other hen, greedy girl Coffee, ends up shoving Tilly out of the way and eating most it it herself. I haven't seen any nastiness or pecking but Tilly just immediately moves aside and lets Coffee devour all the treats. Consequently, Tilly must be filling herself up on the layers pellets.

 

Coffee eats all the treats and her egg are small, Tilly misses the treats and has started laying giant eggs. Any connection you think?

[ionataylor]

Don't worry about the giant eggs. Eggs do gradually increase in size over the first few weeks of laying, so Tilly is probably just reaching her natural egg size. As long as she isn't in any discomfort she will be fine.

 

As long as she is getting some food and water she will be doing OK - it's if another chicken is stopping her eating at all that problems start. Layers pellets are designed to be a complete food, so as you say the other foods are just a treat.

What your seeing with Tilly and Coffee is a natural 'pecking order'.