Used Omlet outdoor rabbit run Width 2.2m Height 2.05m Length 3.1m vgc.

[Lisa1976]

Hi,

This is my first post of this forum and I need some help. I've got two chickens and they where producing good eggs when I first go them. However for a couple of months now, they have been producing weak egg shell which also causes them to eat the eggs. I've try giving them poultry spice and more grit/oyster shell to strength the shell but none have worked. I've even given them a cutle fish which they didn't like. What I would like to know is there anything else I can do?? As for the eating of the eggs, I've tried rubber eggs and eggs with chilli paste. This worked on and off. Is there anything else I can do?? Finally, I've got one chicken with long toenails. I was wondering could I cut them?? Any help will be gratefully received. Thank-you in advance for any advice that is given.

[Sammiboo]

are you feeding them much greenstuffs/kitchen s"Ooops, word censored!"s?

 

If so this can affect the shell and i would stick to feeding them layers mash/pellets only for a while.

[Lisa1976]

Hi,

Thank-you for your advice. I've only been feeding them layer's mash since I got them. Would certain treats i.e. sweetcorn & meal worms effect the shell?

[Daphne]

You're doing the right thing by only feeding a balanced diet. You can try adding limestone flour to the mash (horsey places stock it), this will give them more calcium which should help with the shell development. Make sure the birds are 'relaxed'; stresses such as loud/unexpected noises can apparently play a part in egg quality! Its hard to break the egg eating habit, so always take eggs out early and regularly, mustard is supposed to be another deterrant.

 

You can clip toenails (carefully, too little is better than too much!) with dog nail clippers.

[Chucky Mama]

Might be a good idea to worm them with Flubenvet if they haven't been done in the last 3-4 months