Couperman Posted June 3, 2007 Share Posted June 3, 2007 Let the girls out at the crack of sparrows this morning, and found an nearly perfect egg. Whoever did it forget to add the shell though It was laid on the roosting bars and had fallen through and broke. I cleaned the tray to avoid it getting scoffed by the girls. The Cube wars are ongoing but don't seem at brutal as yesterday. Splodge seems to be main aggressor as she is the biggest and has a deeper coloured comb. We are expecting a proper egg or two soon. At least three of the girls visit the nesting box regularly, Bubble, Squeak and Splodge I think!! To layers pellets contain grit or should we provide this seperately? Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted June 3, 2007 Share Posted June 3, 2007 I do add grit to the layers pellets (when I remember ) and have never had a soft shell problem but the soil here is pretty stoney. I know other people on the forum have had the same problem and will be able to help you more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted June 3, 2007 Author Share Posted June 3, 2007 I thought it might be because we only got them yesterday, so the upset of the move and the ongoing turf war may have upset them or possibly just because they are only just coming into lay? I will get some grit incase it happens again is which type is the best? Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted June 3, 2007 Share Posted June 3, 2007 Some (most?) feeds contain oystershell for egg shells. Mixed grit is gravel (to break up food) and oystershell. You can bake egg shells for a few minutes in the oven, crush and feed back to the chickens mixed in the feed. There is also Shellstim, that you add to water for a week if it continues to be a problem. I'mexperimenting with apple cider vinegar when it happens as it is acidic and supposed to help with calcium absorption. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 3, 2007 Share Posted June 3, 2007 Congrats on the first egg - shame about the shell! It is quite normal for them to lay a few softies at first. Nothing to worry about unless it persists. Mine have only ever had pellets, no grit, a lot of freeranging and never had a problem with softies. They can also be a problem as the hen nears the end of it's laying life. Hope you get some good ones soon! Your girls are lovely - can you tell which is which yet?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
