koo2cat Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Hi There, wonder if any of you good chicken lovers can help? Our Gingernut Ranger, Betty has been laying soft shelled eggs pretty much all winter! Sometimes it makes her appear uwell and we bring her inside in the warm, she lays a softie and then she perks up again. Other times she just lays them and it doesn't seem to affect her at all. I don't think she has laid a proper egg for months now and therefore I am wondering what to do. She is 2 years old, has access to plenty of grit, layers pellets etc. Is it her age? Or could something else be causing this, maybe the continual freezing cold weather? Any advice greatfully received! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 you could try a variety of things. Limestone flour and codliver oil added to food. oyster shell, as apposed to plain mixed grit. Nutrabol, a powder. ZolcalD a liquid. I have one the same despite everthing I give her but HTH good luck x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 There is a theory that too much calcium causes as many problems as not enough, try scaling up the calcium adding one product at a time starting with limestone flour as Sandy suggests but if you get no luck try turning the whole situation on its head and trying no added calcium and see if that improves matters (for example give the type of grit that has no added shell) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 You could try cutting out treats if she is having a lot of them and sticking to pellets & perhaps a supplement like Zolcal or limestone flour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koo2cat Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 Thanks for your advice everyone, much appreciated! I will do as you all suggest and see how that goes. She is such a sweet, placid girl and up till this winter has been a brilliant layer. Hopefully the things you suggest will sort her out and can I just say roll on Spring!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 didn't think it might read that I was suggesting ALL at once! Meant just to offer alternatives, just as well there are lots of us to keep things straight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 didn't think it might read that I was suggesting ALL at once! Meant just to offer alternatives, just as well there are lots of us to keep things straight She'll not be able to move from the calcium overload they'll be eggs popping out all over the place Dont worry I read that as unwritten (so to speak..) thats why I said adding one product at a time as Sandy suggested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 More options! What about an ex-batt feed? Lots of nutrients and mine love it I had the one of my ex-barn girls laying softies (posted in the Egg section) and was advised to add a little cod liver oil to their pellets, as it aids absorption of calcium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 there's a bit of a glitch there though with some finding they were chucking out softees on the ex bat food, when previosly not, and fine whenswitched back, an odd one I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
