Janepie33 Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 After many lovely eggs, we seem to have developed a bit of a problem. Sometimes, Tilly lays her egs on the bars next to nest box, which has been fine up until this week, because before I could rescue it, the egg has been trampled (or pecked?) and broken. The yolk has still been intact, so I don't think the girls are trying to eat the eggs. The shells seems to be a bit softer than usual, even though T&L have access to oyster shell and whatever delightful pebbles they find in the garden. (T even had a go at eating a potttery frog!) Has anyone come across this problem before? Is there anything I can do about it? Thanks Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pasq Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 I'm having a similar problem... (finding the shells not so robust lately, despite being on the same diet + garden grub), so i find a few shells cracked. Just like you i thought maybe they were eating them, but i'm not sure if they are just trampling over them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 Presumably you mean help with the shells and not eating the pottery frog You can buy a supplement called shellstim that you put in the water that hardens shells. Try poultry suppliers in one of the stickies (or a search). You could try poultry spice to give them a boost over Winter, that's on the omlet website but may be cheaper elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonesyboy27 Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 I was with experienced [oultry owner yesterday and the said dont give the hens dried egg shell because this encourages the hens to peck their eggs,is this true? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 The usual advice is that if you pop them in the oven for a few minutes and cook them, then crush them up into tiny pieces, the hens won't know what they are eating is their own! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...