Guest Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 (edited) We seem to be having a fair few soft shelled eggs - one day all 6 hens had laid but almost at bedtime someone laid a soft shelled egg too. In the past few days there have been 4 soft shelled. Is there something i am doing wrong with them? Is there anything i should be giving to help? My hens are all about 10m old and most have been laying since January with the exception of one of the RIRs who only started to lay about 6w ago. They are fed layers pellets and only get occassional treats..of grapes/veg and a handful of corn at night. They are on their worming as of today for a week (Flubenvet). Sorry - more questions from me! Edited April 25, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodinparts Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Not an expert at all, but do they all have grit available? Mine pretty much ignore it, but I know it makes a difference...and thus far we've only ever had one softie. Beyond that, - let's wait for someone who knows what they're doing to come along. Hope it resolves for you soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Have you checked for lice? It might help if you give them grit in a separate bowl of mixed in with their food. You could also put some liquid calcium in their water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Give them calcium rich spinach - it really does work! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Not an expert at all, but do they all have grit available? Mine pretty much ignore it, but I know it makes a difference...and thus far we've only ever had one softie. Beyond that, - let's wait for someone who knows what they're doing to come along. Hope it resolves for you soon It's the oystershell in with the grit that has the calcium, so ensuring there is some available is important I also agree that access to leafy green veg like spinach is great. If there is an issue though, and especially as you'll be cutting down on treats whilst they are being wormed, you could add some limestone flour to their pellets, ideal when doing flubenvet, add cod liver oil, the flub and the limestone flour, worming and calcium treatment 2 in 1 special Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Interesting thread, Kalico. One of my sablepoots has started laying softees & is generally "out of sorts" Have had her to the vets a couple of times (oh these bills) & they could find nothing at all wrong with her. They F/R almost all day & have a good diet. If you come across an answer, be sure & share it. Alli xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Thanks all. None of the girls are or seem under the weather, however they aren't all laying which is unusual. They have grit but I can put some more down. I also have some oyster shell so I will try that too - along with spinach. No softies today, but only 2 eggs, which is really unusual. I will try all your suggestions. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 No more soft shelled eggs - i have added your suggestions - however, they are still not laying particularly well - this isnt a problem unless it means there is something wrong with them - Attila (lays terracotta coloured eggs so very recongnisable) hasnt laid now since last Friday. She seems fine in herself - bright, eating etc - is it normal for them just to go 'off lay' a bit sometimes? I am probably worrying over nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
