Markir Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 We have two wonderful chickens, both of which started laying when they were 24 wks old. Fred (Black Rock) has layed one perfect egg every day since. Ginger (Gingernut Ranger) meanwhile started by laying one small egg, then another two weeks later. Since then she has been laying very small soft eggs every few days - sometimes two a day then nothing for a week. This has been happening for the last six weeks. Both chickens seem very happy & healthy, they both have exactly the same food and roam around the garden together. Any ideas why Ginger just doesn't seem to be getting into the swing of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 It can take a while for them to settle into a regular egg laying routine. If you dont do it already you could add some poultry spice to their food as this will give them a little boost. Maybe your gingernut is finding the changes in weather upsetting too - my girls usually lay more softie when there is a big change in temperature Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 try adding some oyster shell for extra calcium, or baked and ground egg shells. Also this thread might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markir Posted October 21, 2007 Author Share Posted October 21, 2007 Thanks for the tips. We already feed them on layers pellets and have oyster shell and grit in the run for them. They both eat the oyster shell - they like to tip it out of the container then spend ages digging for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Have you tried mixing a couple of handfuls of pellets with warm water, a teaspoon of oyster shell and some sweetcorn? Let it cool slightly and then stand back and watch the attack? When i am home, my girls get this every night. I mix a small amount of porridge oats in too, if it is going to be really cold at night. It keeps them warm and also means they are getting extra calcium (Laverne has always laid thin shelled eggs, so needs the extra). They normally get their bowl a couple of hours before lights out. Babs sits on the run as look out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Limestone flour (calcium carbonate) is useful. I think the problem is not getting calcium into the hen, but getting it from the hen's innards into the bloodstream, and what works for one might not work for another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Eglutine's comment above is exactly what we've just been told by our vet who said that oyster shell grit and ground baked eggshells simply wouldn't be enough for many hens, who cannot absorb the calcium properly from these sources. Limestone flour is Eglutine's method of choice, whilst my vet suggested cuttlefish bone ground in a pestle and mortar and added to their food - 1 tsp per hen per day. Good luck with the girls! Sue x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Limestone flour is Eglutine's method of choice, whilst my vet suggested cuttlefish bone ground in a pestle and mortar and added to their food - 1 tsp per hen per day. I tried this today - took hours in the pet place trying to find cuttlefish bone (it was in the reptile section ), paid 80p for one then got home and hammered it in the pestle and mortar - I got about 2 tablespoon fulls from one bone! I think I'll be looking into limestone flour and see if it's more cost effective! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Limestone flour is Eglutine's method of choice, whilst my vet suggested cuttlefish bone ground in a pestle and mortar and added to their food - 1 tsp per hen per day. I tried this today - took hours in the pet place trying to find cuttlefish bone (it was in the reptile section ), paid 80p for one then got home and hammered it in the pestle and mortar - I got about 2 tablespoon fulls from one bone! I think I'll be looking into limestone flour and see if it's more cost effective! Jo £4.99 for a 5kg tub...which lasts for ever. I got mine from the local "horsey" shop. Don't get it online....the postage will be horrendous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Hi There's some limestone flour advertised on ebay (for reptiles and snails). Is this the same stuff that we can give to our hens? Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 I have just had a quick look on ebay Betty. The stuff that Egluntine sent me was calcium carbonate. So i guess the ebay stuff is the same Some of the 'ads' say calcium carbonate so i would go for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 I expect so. Is it pure calcium carbonate? If so....yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markir Posted November 1, 2007 Author Share Posted November 1, 2007 Thanks for the advice. I have been trying the ground pellets, oystershell & oats this week but she hasn't layed any eggs yet! If the next eggs are soft I will have a go with the limestone flour - is this just added to their food? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
