8mo old stopped laying but visits nest box

[Montymoo]

Found this on a poop board just now. There was a small bit of yolk and lots of albumin. I think it was whole but shell-less. It tore when I took it off the board.
There was a smaller bit of the creamy white matter which is soft and is

the same color all the way through. Should I just start with calcium/D pills?

 

[rosemarythyme]

She sounds extremely glitchy, which isn't unusual in younger layers but her system sounds more erratic than most. Not sure if it's indicative of any other issues or if she just has a problem with forming shells. Have you started supplementing calcium via pill/tablet?

 

[Montymoo]

She sounds extremely glitchy, which isn't unusual in younger layers but her system sounds more erratic than most. Not sure if it's indicative of any other issues or if she just has a problem with forming shells. Have you started supplementing calcium via pill/tablet?

Yes, today was day 5 for Caltrate with D. I don't think I should give it more than 5 days at a time?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes, today was day 5 for Caltrate with D. I don't think I should give it more than 5 days at a time?

You can for sure, I'd try it for 10-14 days to start. If it helps then I would continue with maybe every other day from there, and if things remain stable, then once every 3 days, and so on.

If you still don't see any improvement after the first 2 weeks, then the problem might be with her shelling gland.

 

[Montymoo]

You can for sure, I'd try it for 10-14 days to start. If it helps then I would continue with maybe every other day from there, and if things remain stable, then once every 3 days, and so on.

If you still don't see any improvement after the first 2 weeks, then the problem might be with her shelling gland.

Thanks for letting me know I can extend it. I will keep it up for another week or so, then go with backing off.
If it keeps up, I’d there a shot or something they can give her to stop producing? I don’t know what this is doing to her physically.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Since the last time I posted, we haven’t had much luck. 14 days of pills and layer boost in a separate waterer and we’ve had one intact, hard shelled egg. No pigment to speak of. The rest of the days were nothing or soft shell. I’ll call the vet tomorrow and see what she says.

Go ahead and stop any extra calcium supplements if you are still using them, as the problem is likely that her shelling gland isn't functioning correctly. If the flock eats layer feed then it's up to you if you want to continue with that or not.

Hopefully the vet will be able to recommend an injection or implant you can try, or to refer you to someone who has experience with this issue.

 

[Montymoo]

They’re on Kalmbach 20% flock maker crumbles. They’re working on the second bag. They were on Purina Start and Grow medicated. Could that be it???

 

[rosemarythyme]

They’re on Kalmbach 20% flock maker crumbles. They’re working on the second bag. They were on Purina Start and Grow medicated. Could that be it???

If you hadn't supplemented calcium then layer feed might be a recommendation, but the fact that she cannot consistently form a strong shell with direct doses of calcium indicates it's not the feed type.