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

[Hedgehog]

Our ex bat chicken Edna appears to hang onto her eggs before delivering them ie one egg every 3 to 4 days and when she does they are very large which causes her distress. Is there anything we can give her to make her eggs smaller and her laying more regular. Apart from the difficulty of her laying eggs she is very chirpy and runs around the garden quite happily with the other girls Bridgette and Gwen. Can't find anything on the BHWT web so thought I'd try here.

regards

Hedgehog

[Egluntyne]

You could give her a calcium supplement, such as Zolcal D which is readily absorbed.

 

This will strengthen the contractions required to push the egg along the laying tract, and can have the effect of making the eggs smaller as they whistle along the passages.

[sleepymummy]

I too have reluctant layers. My and , before Christmas, layed one a day each and did so from last July. Since Christmas, I am lucky to get one every other day. My seems to have packed up altogether. She does go into the nest box now but nothing comes out. Is she broody?

 

Also, my 's eggs are rough and not perectly formed and the other day, in the poo tray, I found the white and yolk but no shell but in a perfect dome shape. I have had them to the vet who is happy that they are perfectly healthy. She has advised a calcium supplement and a re-worm and some grit buth other than that, who knows? Any suggestions?

[sjp]

I've been recomended dried meal worms for a similar problem with one of my chickens

also try some thing like life guard it could be a vit D deficiency

[sleepymummy]

They have dried meal worms regularly as a treat. What is Life Guard? Is it just a vit D thing or a multi action thing?

[Hedgehog]

Many thanks Egluntine, will try and get some today

regards

[The Dogmother]

I'm afriad that this is usual when they are coming to the end of their laying career; you'll get fewer eggs and biggers one. The calcium will help though.

[sjp]

They have dried meal worms regularly as a treat. What is Life Guard? Is it just a vit D thing or a multi action thing?

 

have a look here

http://www.life-guard.co.uk/

[sleepymummy]

But mine only started laying last July and i've only had 6 months out of them really. Surely they can't be henopausing already? I have had 3 eggs in 3 days from . is sitting in the box everyday but no produce. I wonder if she is broody? Anything I can do or will it pass?

[Egluntyne]

Have a look at **this article**. It will help you decide if she is displaying broody behaviour.

[sleepymummy]

Hmmm, guess it's not broodiness then. Thanks for that article, very interesting. She only sits on the nest for about half an hour a day. The rest of the time she's happy pottering about. No droopy comb, pert tail feathers. Oh, I don't know! I give up!