Sooo much pooping

[Gertie]

Over the last few days one of my ex bats has laid an egg shaped like a banana, a thin long egg and a tiny wind egg. Although the shells were not soft, I can see that they are quite thin. She is probably just over 2 years. I know shell quality decreases with age.

 

They eat ex bat pellets, have oyster shell and grit, greens and lifeguard in the water. Should I add a calcium supplement? Or could this be a sign of something else? I'm just worming them with flubenvet at the moment as they were last done just after Xmas.

 

Many thanks

Edited May 8, 2011 by Guest

[Henchanted]

Hello

 

I believe that odd shaped eggs, particularly elongated shapes come about when a hen has a shock or is startled by something like a loud noise etc when in the act of laying. I think the shell is still soft until it comes in contact with air and then becomes harder.

Its happened to mine a few times, I have now learnt to check how many are on the outside in case I disturb one when checking for eggs.

[Gertie]

Thanks for replying Goodegg. I know what you mean as I too have managed to scare a hen in the nest box on the odd occasion!

 

But I think this might be something different. She has laid these 3 odd eggs over the past 5 days so I don't think it's a scare. Maybe it's just a blip, but I don't want her to have problems laying, then get peritonitis

[Henchanted]

What were the other 2 eggs like?

[Gertie]

The second was long & thin (as you described), the third was a weeny wind egg (just White no yolk), it had a very thin shell. As they all have delicate looking shells, that's why I wondered about calcium!

 

Thanks

[Chucky Mama]

If they are weird shapes I would be inclined to think that it wasn't a calcium issue myself. You could try a little Zolcal D in water - take care not to overdose so don't give a 'dollop', measure it out as a little goes a long way. If there is not improvement, then stop using it. You can also used limestone flour & cod liver oil or crushed eggshells. Don't use more that one type of calcium supplement though. Too much is as bad as too little. Make sure also that you cut out all treats other than a few fresh green veg and ensure access to plenty of fresh drinking water. If this started when you started worming you may find it settles after it has finished.

[Gertie]

 

Thanks Chucky Mama

 

I have posted a picture so you can see what I mean. The eggs at the bottom are the normal ones.

 

So what might explain the fragile shell. Just age? It started before the worming began.

 

I will try a calcium supplement. Will see if the farm shop has limestone flour.

 

Thank you

[Chucky Mama]

If using limestone flour you need to give some cod liver oil (vit D) which helps calcium absorption. Looking at the eggs I think it may settle.

[Gertie]

Thanks so much. I'll give that a go.

 

Hopefully it will pass

[Henchanted]

Hello again

 

I 've given his a bit more thought and come up with 2 more questions/ideas

Firstly from your photos they look like eggs from at least 2 different chickens. Which means that is likely to be something to do with their diet The top egg looks like it should have been 2 and conjoined (not uncommon apparently)

 

Mine are nearly a year old and when they were doing the odd odd egg several things happened at that time: one was they spent a day with less water than normal, they had run low on grit, they'd had unusual treats ie grapes and their full run sun cover had been on all day for a few days hence little exposure to the sun (I was so eager to protect them I don't think they got enough). Also the children had been handling them a bit more than usual and this I've been warned can affect their egg producing system. So I ensured lots of water, wormed them, fed only feed with additives (described below) and let them sunbathe and banned all any handling that involved lifting tnem up.

 

No odd eggs since, no idea if it just sorted itself on its own or if I helped but don't forget they are creatures with simple needs and as long as we meet them they are likely to be fine.

 

I wouldn't give any supplements or treats other than poultry spice to enhance appetite, check they are eating and drinking, have good mixture of grit (mine actually love sand as well) and even try adding bokashi bran to their feed (mine love it and have wonderfully formed poo after this never any watery ones)- its become my cure-all and DE as well.

 

Hope that helps

[Gertie]

Gosh! Thanks Goodegg for all your thinking & trouble to post. After posting the pic I also thought the eggs are from 2 different hens. I suspect thinking about it, maybe it could be environmental. They moved coops about 3 weeks ago. The feeding regime hasn't changed. I do have poultry spice so I could try that. I'm going to see what happens in the next few days as they have got lifeguard in the water today. Observation is key really!

 

Thanks again