janeyb26 Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Hi All, I'm new to forum but have had my 2 girls for 18 months. For the last 2 months approx, Margo -a light sussex has been laying pale eggs with what look like little pleats at the pointy end,and her production has dropped to maybe 3 times a week. Previously she laid normal looking eggs every day. Myself n hubby been away and mum chicken sat, so she doesn't notice changes like I would. On cleaning the cube out I found 3 "shell-less" eggs in the poo tray (saturday). Today Margo is all fluffed up, looks sleepy, her tail is horizontal rather than vertical and she's not in the least bit interested in afternoon treats. As I sat and watched them she drank a few times but ignored the food. She's passing what looks like spit out her back end?? But she's not mucky round there. Her partner Bunty is fine, clucking away and stuffing her beak. I'm quite worried and would appreciate any ideas or advice. Thanks, Jane x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Sounds as if she might be working up to laying another soft egg. Might be worth giving her a calcium and vit D supplement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 She could have a soft shelled egg on the way or the 'spit' that you can see may be bits of egg white meaning that she may have tried to pass a shelled egg that has broken inside her. Either will make her pretty miserable. If you feel confident you could lube your finger and have a gentle feel or lift her tail and see if you can see anything hanging. If you need to pop her to the vet if she doesn't perk up in the next 24 hours. Have you been adding a calcium supplement as this can produce ridges on the shells Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janeyb26 Posted May 25, 2011 Author Share Posted May 25, 2011 Thanks for replies. No, not been adding any supplements, always fed them mixed corn with some layers pellets mixed in. Will the soft shelled eggs stop do you think? Anything I can do to prevent them cos she looks so unhappy.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 She'll pick up quick once she's passed the egg but make sure the shell comes out you may see some bits of membrane you can pull out gently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 always fed them mixed corn with some layers pellets mixed in. That could be your problem. You should really be feeding the other way around - layers pellets with the odd treat of mixed corn. Corn has little nutritional value for a laying hen. It doesn't contain what they need to make a decent shell. It will add weight but little else, It is fine as a treat in small amounts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 great minds CM That'll be your problem - feed them 98% pellets, just a handful of corn a day and string up a couple of cabbage leaves in the run of an afternoon. I once had a man tell me that his hens had the same problem... all of them Turns out that he was feeding them on mashed potato and pasta 'because they like it' . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
