Leicester_H Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 Hi Just got 3 new ex-bats - one is laying soft eggs (maybe more on that later). They are on good quality layers pellets - with added limestone flour. Have a little Davinova C left (https://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/chicken_keeping/vitamins_and_tonics/10760/quiko_liquid_calcium_concentrate_250ml/) - so adding this to the water - but need to get some more. BHWT recommend Zolcal D (http://www.bhwt.org.uk/why-do-my-hens-lay-soft-shell-eggs/) I assume these 2 supplements are essentially the same - is this correct ? Is one better than the other ? Thanks, as always, H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Extra Calcium needs extra Phosphorous as well Leicester, so check the ingredients. Extra Calcium on its own can make the situation worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Extra Calcium needs extra Phosphorous as well Leicester, so check the ingredients. Neither product seems to contain Phosporus ? Zocal D -Contents Calcium borogluconate 40% (400g/litre), magnesium 2mg/ml and vitamin D3 25000 IU/litre Davinova C - Ingredients: Calcium chloride, calcium lactate. Extra Calcium on its own can make the situation worse. How so ? H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Phosphorous is required in the transition process from Calcium stored in the bones to coat the egg, as is vitamin D. I have heard of Zolcal D being used but have not heard whether it was effective. My preference would be Nettex mineral powder which has both extra Calcium and Phosphorous coupled with 0.5mL Cod Liver Oil every two days. We've never used the Nettex on a hen, only a cock with a mineral deficiency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 One of my pekins laid soft or no shell eggs for a few weeks last month. I added avipro avian to their water for a few days and she's fine now. Obviously I don't know whether it was the avipro or whether she was getting better anyway... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Getting their digestive system in top order is always a good place to start Mullethunter. We use Avipro Avian a lot and have just bought a large tub of it. The other thing to make sure is the hens have been wormed with Flubenvet within the last 4 months as a worm burden can affect egg shell quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted September 22, 2015 Author Share Posted September 22, 2015 Thanks all. Since BHWT recommend Zolcal D, I've ordered some of that but I'll look at Avipro Avian as well. The other thing to make sure is the hens have been wormed with Flubenvet within the last 4 months as a worm burden can affect egg shell quality. As ex-bats we were told NOT to worm them until they'd been out for 3 months - so not due yet. H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
