legend21 Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 One of my ex batts has started laying softies, they all eat the same pellets and most time I give them porridge I put limestone flour in the bowl. They free range all day, but she is the only one who has started laying softies, any suggestions as to what I should give her to harden her shells (strangely enough her name is shell) advice please Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 You could add a dollop of cod liver oil to her pellets. It contains Vit D3 which helps with calcium metabolism. I'd cut down on the free raniong and any treats too. If you confine her to the run till lunchtime so that she eats nothing but pellets for the larger part of the day, you will probably see an improvement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Hi, a calcium supplement with vit D such as zolcalD can help if Egluntines oil doesn't work but you can only use it for a week or two because of the risk of a high blood calcium. I would try the flour and oil for a couple of weeks first. You say you give porridge, do you use pellets/mash for it because this gives them their nutrients. Hope that helps a bit. Mine does worry me because she looks so ill when trying to lay a soft egg but picks up quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...