3yo RIR, egg problems? liver dz?

[Lillith37]

It’s fine for him to put the sweetener on the oatmeal, just don’t let him give it to the chickens. You have a duty of care towards your animals that you and he need to take seriously.

I don’t know much about the exact protein breakdowns of mealworms vs bsfl. They are treats though, don’t rely on them to provide all the protein your hens need.

A 16% layer feed isn’t going to allow your hens to live their best lives and lay well into middle and old age though. Because you give them other sources of calcium, you could switch feed to a starter crumble or grower pellet with higher levels of protein. Try and find one that isn’t medicated.

 

[aliris]

It’s fine for him to put the sweetener on the oatmeal, just don’t let him give it to the chickens. You have a duty of care towards your animals that you and he need to take seriously.

I don’t know much about the exact protein breakdowns of mealworms vs bsfl. They are treats though, don’t rely on them to provide all the protein your hens need.

A 16% layer feed isn’t going to allow your hens to live their best lives and lay well into middle and old age though. Because you give them other sources of calcium, you could switch feed to a starter crumble or grower pellet with higher levels of protein. Try and find one that isn’t medicated.

I guess protein(mealworms) > protein (BSFL) https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/mealworms-vs-black-soldier-fly-larva/ I thought I saw somewhere it was an even bigger differential.

Wow, that's an interesting idea to switch them back to grower or even starter food. It hadn't occurred to me to "go back" like that. https://www.scratchandpeck.com/shop/naturally-free-grower/ - starter from this company is 20.5% and grower is 17%. There's a 18% layer formulation I'll try to get. It's a good idea to try the pellet - I forgot to say I do leave pellets available too but I could give them the high protein pellets available rather than the lower-protein....

I suspect dh will control himself. When I mentioned fatty liver possibility he looked ashen. He's at least as besotted by these ladies as I.

 

[Lillith37]

When I first got chickens I overdid it with the treats. I spoiled them rotten but I’ve since learned that they are much healthier and happier if I give them good quality food and minimal treats.

The 16% layer feed is the absolute bare minimum for laying hens. Especially when they go through moult etc. 16% is usually what layer feed contains because protein is the most expensive part of the food, so the manufacturers go by the minimum to cut costs.

When my broody has chicks, all my flock gets 22% chick starter crumbles and then once the babies are older they get 18% grower pellets and that’s what everyone eats ongoing. It’s good because if I keep the boys for awhile (who don’t need the calcium in layer feed) it works for everyone. If you give the oyster shell and egg shell back to the flock separately and keep some supplements on hand for any layers who have a period of egg trouble, the hens should still get what they need for calcium.

 

[aliris]

@Wyorp Rock - 500mg or 250mg of calcium/day please? tia.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would aim for 600 mg of calcium with d3 for a five pound chicken daily.

 

[aliris]

OK great, thank you. I love that we're assuming it's a #5 chicken -- which I am guessing is right, actually, but I _think_ is a titch overweight? I mean, I guess I don't know, it just seems like a lot of chicken... Is that what a normal RIR weighs? Now I'm curious and am going to go weigh the girl!

 

[aliris]

Oh no. This is day 5 of feeding 500mg/d calcium + vit D. I just noticed a "gravely" crop and slightly sour smell. Though, I suppose that could be related to the poopy butt and backed-up tubes? No further egg-laying. Though her mate who had been broody and hasn't laid since, just started laying again (+/- 6 weeks post broody I think? No roosters here, it's all conceptual). Her crest is bright red and very upright. She complains a lot but that's par for this chicken. The crop isn't really swollen, it's not like some "bra" would help move things along I don't think? It's just that what's there is gravelly. @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @anyone with ideas!? I haven't noticed her sneeze-cough in a long while. Apart from that, Mrs Lincoln, she appears quite healthy...

 

[Eggcessive]

The crop can feel gravelly during the day if she is eating crumbles or pellets. Check it in the early morning before she takes any food or water when it should feel empty and flat. You can try giving her a tsp or so of chilled coconut oil to peck at, and that might lube her tubes.

 

[aliris]

OK, I'll check in the morning. Over the past couple weeks I've given her coconut oil thrice. The last time was the day before a shelless egg came out. If I set out a little cup of it for them all to pick at is it bad that the others get some too? I could do another pellet force-feed of the ailing girl, but I'd rather not add more trauma to her day (she doesn't really like being force fed two calcium pills and she pooped her displeasure onto me so... I just changed?!)

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You can just give her small frozen chunks of coconut oil, she'll probably eat it on her own once she tastes it.
My hens love the taste and while it won't hurt them all to have a bit, I would not set out a lot of coconut oil for everyone to consume.

It's not uncommon for hens that are having reproductive problems to have a slow crop. If her crop doesn't empty overnight, then begin treating that symptom according to the article https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/