Brand new to chickens

[Sighttosea]

Hi there
I have two 7 month old girls from TSC. Several issues /questions...They are laying eggs but some eggs have a quite soft shell, it is shell but when I crack them open they are softish. I have grit out for them and feeding layer pellets.
Also they are skinny ( I can feel the breast bone) and act like they are starved, but I am putting out probably a quart of pellets a day for them. I also give them egg shell, and veggies from cooking the night before. They also have some access to gamebird grower finisher sometimes. the free range during the day in a 50 X 50 yard.
I have Safeguard on hand for my dogs ( dog breeder/trainer). What is the dosage? and how do you administer. I also have on hand probiotics and vitamins from my pigeons.
Thanks for any advice!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Cut out everything except their feed and grit/calcium supplement for now. They should have feed freely available all day.

 

[Bananabread]

ditto to @rosemarythyme More than likely with time they'll figure things out but the most assured way to help them thrive expedite the process laying bigger more developed eggs is to give them a strict pellet/crumble diet. While we all love the idea of snacks and the "happiness" we see them have for it...the formulated feed is formulated to give them 100% of what they actually need. Kind of like my 2 year old daughter who would fill herself up on dried mango and pears (today's go to) if given the chance.

 

[The cheek coop]

Welcome to the flock!
Feed them calcium either by way of oyster shell of their own egg shell crushed up. That is why they have soft shells. Make sure there is nothing around that is harmful for your birds to eat(a google search will tell most of the things) fresh clean water and good feed not the producers pride brand it’s no good. My girls enjoy beans and corn and of course Black Soldier Fly Larvae.
Good luck!

 

[Jakemedic]

This last summer we gave them frozen watermelon, zucchini and corn from the garden. It kept them hydrated and oh so happy! this fall we have been coring and freezing apples. They seem to enjoy the apple peelings. What is really cute is they will grab a fallen apple and run away from the rest with it in their beaks. It’s like “ladies, there are enough apples so everyone can have their own”. Surprisingly, they don’t listen too terribly well.

 

[Fluffy_Moth_With_Silkies]

I also give them egg shell, and veggies from cooking the night before.

Are you giving them onions? Onions are really bad for chickens.

 

[Insnesnakos]

Welcome to the flock!
Feed them calcium either by way of oyster shell of their own egg shell crushed up. That is why they have soft shells. Make sure there is nothing around that is harmful for your birds to eat(a google search will tell most of the things) fresh clean water and good feed not the producers pride brand it’s no good. My girls enjoy beans and corn and of course Black Soldier Fly Larvae.
Good luck!

My birds love corn too

 

[21hens-incharge]

right now they are getting two egg shells a day, there are two birds. is that enough ?

No. It takes more than that to make a new egg shell. Even with the layer pellets and added egg shells they should have oyster shell available in a separate dish at all times.

What breed are they?
Some breeds are naturally very lean.

Are wild critters eating their feed?
A quart a day is more than enough for 2 birds.
Is it in a feeder or scattered on the ground?

 

[Folly's place]

Seven month old pullets are still growing, and IMO a 20% all flock feed gives them the best nutrition, with oyster shell in a separate dish. Egg shells, not enough, use the oyster shell.
Layer feed is designed for small breed high producing birds (leghorn types) in confinement, and eating nothing else.
Leave out the goodies for now!
Also, check the mill date on each bag of food before you buy it; best to feed it within two months of it's mill date if at all possible! I've seen very old feed in stores, especially in the smaller bags, and it's not good. And a whole seed type diet can be a problem too, use pellets or crumble.
Who else can get to this feed?
Two birds? Better to have at least three or four. If and when one of a pair is gone, the other will be devistated.
Mary

 

[Sighttosea]

right now they are getting two egg shells a day, there are two birds. is that enough ?