counturchickens Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Sorry, but three questions in one. About a month ago we moved out our 2 old ex batts into the cube and introduced 3 new ones. We've had the old ex batts for a year so I guess are 2 and half or so. Around this time daisy laid a softie, and since then seems to be doing so on and off. She has laid another today, which by the time we found it was just an empty soft shell. She has definitely been eating her own eggs, and we think some of the others too (yolk found on her foot tonight!) the intros have gone well in other respects but wondered if the stress could set her off. She is fine in all other respects, same as usual. They were wormed with flubenvet last month, cut right down on treats, eating ex batts layers pellets with ground up shells added. Is this just the end of her egg laying days or something more sinister. Lost Maisie last year to peritonitis so already checked for swollen abdomen. Any advice? On the egg eating front, tried the mustard thing, but at least one seemed to enjoy it, any other ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Soft shelled eggs can be caused by stress, but softies are a sign that they are coming to the end of the laying days (not necessarily their life though). With our ex-batts, we had normal eggs, then softies, then none at all. Mustard eggs dont work. You could try using crock eggs or ping pong balls in the nest box, as the hens will then discover the cant break them and get their delicious contents, and will give up (hopefully! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 It could well be the arrival of the new girls causing the egg eating. My hen Dorothy has started egg eating both times we had new hens arrive in the garden (one time to join the flock, the other time just for a hen-holiday so the flocks didn't even mix). I guess it's either their way of showing that they are upset or a defensive 'you're not getting your hands on my eggs so I'll stamp on them and eat them' reaction. Can't really help you with other suggestions as the mustard eggs worked for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Thanks lavenders blue! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
