Chicken bald back

[MissMay]

On Monday (three days ago) my lovely blue hybrid chicken Doris laid an egg with no shell that looked like a creepy alien brain. Since then we've had no eggs from her and today she laid another egg with no shell.

 

I have googled - but it seems there are quite a number of reasons this may happen. We are new to keeping chickens and got our three ladies a couple of months ago. They started laying just before Easter. I wondered if anyone has any advice?

 

The hens are young and as far as I can tell Doris seems to otherwise be in good health. She's eating well and out in her run pecking around.

 

I buy oyster shell and chicken grit which has shell in that is available in a cup that hooks to the side of the run. Would it be better to mix the oyster shell with their pellets?

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Daisy

[Chickabee]

If she's still young it's probably just a blip. I wouldn't mix grit and pellets personally. Try not to give them any treats unless it's something like sunflower seeds (small amount), dandelion leaves or plain yoghurt. There are some tonics you can give them to improve shells. What pellets are you using?

[sarkymite]

I agree it's probably just a blip if they're young and only recently came into lay.

We added some new hens at Easter and the last of those to start laying had a really patchy start, we had 2 with no shells, one that was covered in what felt like sandpaper, and a virtually oblong misshapen one too, and she's still not quite consistent but she's improving.

It can be quite common when they're just getting the hang of the laying thing.

[sjp]

give them a few dandelion leaves they contain a form of calcium that the body can concert into the type needed to make eggshell easier than the type found in the grit, feed or yogurt the tonic is life guard tonic especially formulated for young layers but it works for older ones as well.

[MissMay]

Thanks both! She's been eating Dandelions this week and we had some normal eggs once the sun came out - phew! Hopefully she's a happier chicken

 

The pellets we have are dodson and horrell layers pellets. I must admit I haven't given them any tonic. Do you give that separately or add it to the water?

 

Sorry for being a chicken newbie!

 

Daisyx

[Chickabee]

You put the tonic in the water.

 

Don't be sorry for being a newbie, it's a great hobby you've just taken up. I've learnt so much from this forum