helen1962 Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 Hi All Not been on here for ages!! Anyway I am back with a very disconcerting problem. Wendy my Light Sussex is only laying soft eggs. She has been doing this for 2 months now and no matter what I do she doesn't lay properly shelled eggs. I have noticed though that she just will not eat layers pellets and it is around the time she stopped eating the pellets that this has happened. I take it that this is linked as she won't be getting the proper nutrients. In all other resects she is very well. Has this happened to anyone else and if so what do I do? Thanks all. Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 What does she eat? I don't think that she would allow herself to starve if layers pellets was all that was available. Does she have access to grit? and maybe you could add a tonic to her water. My light sussex is a total madam but she is 4.5 and still lays about 5 lovely eggs a week for about 9 months of the year. I do find that some hens just seem to lay soft shelled eggs especially after their first season. is she pure breed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Hi All I have noticed though that she just will not eat layers pellets and it is around the time she stopped eating the pellets that this has happened. I take it that this is linked as she won't be getting the proper nutrients Helen you have hit the nail on the head You could try moistening the pellets to make a mash, or just try her with layers mash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helen1962 Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 Thanks for the advice I will try to mix her pellets with water and feed it in her treat bowl and see if I can fool her!! You never know it might work I will let you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 We have been having this issue with one of our ex batts. We have been making her a special mash with layers mash, cod liver oil and limestone flour which seems to be helping. She does eat layers pellets, but when we tried them all on the wet mash they wolfed it down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helen1962 Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 Hi All I tried the soft wet pellets all mashed up and to be honest it has put her back on the pellets again so she has now been eating normally. However she still lays soft eggs. I really don't know what to do with her. In all other respects she's very healthy. She is a good weight, not too fat or too thin. She is lively, her eyes are bright and her comb a lovely red. She looks fab but the egg thing is a nuisance. She gets enough grit and plenty of oyster shell I always make that both are available. Both hens are in a 20 x 8ft run with plenty of access to the main garden when I am at home. Belinda the Black Rock is doing great with plenty of excellent quality eggs. Any advice welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
