Storms and chickens

[Luvachicken]

So, a while ago Zoe, my smallest grey Pekin died and I thought it was her that was laying the softies.

The softies continued, and Lily my big grey Pekin looked a bit peaky, so I decided it must have been her all along.

Sadly she also died recently but the softies have continued.

It is really hard to tell out of the remaining 3 who is laying the softies.

None of them show that hunched up miserable feeling that they do when a softie is coming.

I've put tonic in their water and got them some smaller grit, alongside their usual big grit but I don't know what else to give them to help.

I know Gemma at 7 is the oldest, but she has still been laying proper eggs every now and then so I don't think it is her. I have my suspicions about Polly who is 5 but it could also be Molly who is just over 2.

None of them have laid a proper egg for a good couple of weeks but someone is laying a softie almost every other day.

Any advice would be very welcome 😊

[AndyRoo]

When we get softies I give them a handful of mealworms every other day for a few days (yes, yes, I know...). I also sometimes give them a head of broccoli to pick at which seems to help?

Not sure if one of those might work.

[The Dogmother]

There are quite a few possible causes:

Age: could be a knackered shell gland

Nutrients: if they are fed too much 'other stuff' i.e. not their layers feed, then they won't be getting enough calcium to form shells.

Worm burden: if they haven't been wormed recently, then it could be that.

Reading your post, it could well be an elderly hen with a worn out shell gland; treat what you can see - so cut back on treats, add some Nettex Mineral Boost powder to their feed (this contains calcium carbonate) and see how they get on.

 

 

 

[Luvachicken]

Thank you both.

I do need to worm them again so will order that for them in a minute.

I do think it is an age thing, apart from Molly the other 2 are getting on a bit, poor things.

They are also moulting which can't help.

I'll look into the Nettex mineral boost too.

Thanks again xx

[Luvachicken]

I just ordered them the Marriages pellets with Flubenvet but Farm and Pet Place were out of stock for the mineral powder. But I did find them a different tonic that you give them fresh every day for a week and then just once a week. It said that it helped with softies and feather re-growth, so I'm hoping that will help them.

And, knowing how quick Farm and Pet Place usually are it should arrive pretty quickly.

Shall I worm them first and then give them the other tonic afterwards or do it the other way round ?

This is what I bought them - Agrivite Enhance Feather Shell Bone

[The Dogmother]

That tonic looks OK, and you're fine to use it when you are worming.

I usually use Herbal Gut Conditioner when worming and for a week afterwards to support their gut flora.

[Luvachicken]

Thanks DM

[Luvachicken]

Agrivite Enhance feather shell bone seems to have worked a treat so far, unless it is coincidence.

The girls have been on it all week and I haven't seen a single softie.

Need to go down to just once a week with it now and see how it goes.