LunaKiw1 Posted June 13, 2010 Share Posted June 13, 2010 Ginger has always been a really good layer but lately she's missed some days. We've noticed a lot of sticky yellow yolk under the straw in the nest box - but no sign whatsoever of any egg shell. She's not laying softies (we have had one or two of those so I know what those look like). Her poo has been a bit runnier of late (despite regular Bokashi) and she's not seemed so keen on her treats at bed time as in the past. Having trawled through lots of posts on here going back for the last year or so I'm now wondering if she could she possibly be eating her eggs? Can they do this very quickly as we often see her go in the next box and then check soon after only to find nothing there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted June 13, 2010 Share Posted June 13, 2010 I think you may be spot on there. My girls are old ladies now and lay really paper thin eggs due to their age. They can eat an entire egg shell in a flash and then mine move onto the yolk. My lot don't seem to like egg white though.... Have a look at the softies in the FAQ section as there are loads of ideas you might like to try. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaKiw1 Posted June 14, 2010 Author Share Posted June 14, 2010 Well we put two golf balls in the nest last night but again this morning there was yolk under the straw but no sign of any shell. She was still sitting on the nest too. Please, is there any medical reason we need to explore about shell production? She's been wormed (Flubenvet) recently and these aren't softies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Have you tried giving additional calcium? I use Limestone Flour which you can buy from a horse supply shop and put a scoop in with their feed. This helps harden their shells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaKiw1 Posted June 14, 2010 Author Share Posted June 14, 2010 Haven't tried that supplement but she has had baked egg shells in the past. And when she has been laying her shells have been fine. She's never gone 3 days in a row without laying an egg before so the yolks only are vety mysterious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaKiw1 Posted June 16, 2010 Author Share Posted June 16, 2010 Well we've had a bit of success and got two eggs out of her uneaten in last two days. She always lays first things so OH has been going out at 6 and poking her under the nest. That stirs her up so she goes out to have some layers pellets. Then she goes back into the nest. OH goes out every quarter of an hour and pokes underneath her until eventually he can whip out any egg she's laid ASAP and before she can eat it. Maybe we can break her of the habit yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
