Another soft shell thread..

[gator75]

My situation didn't match any recent finds.

Introduced 3 pullets to my two 28 month old hens (not going well, #2 in line is a terror). My BSL just laid her first soft shell as I was watching them interact with the pullets in the coop for the first time. I changed feed to starter grower yesterday and offered oyster shell. Figured it was too soon for that to be the reason. So..must be stress? She hopped up to the nesting box and came down 30 seconds later with a soft shell hanging from her beak. I was like Wtf is that?? Then I looked in the nesting box. What a mess.

Also, the dominant BSL is fine with the 6 wk old pullets. Totally ignores them. The #2 speckled Sussex continues to pick them up in her beak and terrorize them. They've been around each other for a couple weeks and have had the brooder in the coop with them. I did expand the coop, so there is a lot going on. Question Part 2.. will the Sussex calm down and accept them soon? Gave it 20 minutes tonight and had to put the pullets back in the brooder. My coop 15 sft and run @ 50 sft are not huge. But I let them out a lot to free range.

Thanks in advance.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If you only have 2 adult chickens than the second bird has the most to loose by new additions. Those lower on the pecking order will often peck chicks more than a dominant member.

Soft shelled eggs are from stress. They come out too soon before the shell can be applied. Most soft shelled eggs will get eaten.

 

[gator75]

One other note. One of my pullets is a very small bantam BO. She's my favorite bird ever and since she's too fast, she doesn't get caught by the Sussex, Still, I'm worried most about her.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Bantams will often be bullied when mixed with large breeds. I recommend keeping them separately, though some have luck mixing them.

 

[gator75]

If you only have 2 adult chickens than the second bird has the most to loose by new additions. Those lower on the pecking order will often peck chicks more than a dominant member.

Soft shelled eggs are from stress. They come out too soon before the shell can be applied. Most soft shelled eggs will get eaten.

I gathered that was the reason. I had three and lost a beautiful mottled Java so only have had two awhile. The BSL has always been top dog and reminds her constantly. Kind of why I wanted more chickens. Think I need to keep them separated till they are closer in size? Pull the Sussex out for a week or so? Worried then that the BSL will take over the punishment.

 

[gator75]

Bantams will often be bullied when mixed with large breeds. I recommend keeping them separately, though some have luck mixing them.

Yeah, Hoping for the best. I'm not having a separate coop for one hen. Don't know what I'd do then. She was supposed to be a red star.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I gathered that was the reason. I had three and lost a beautiful mottled Java so only have had two awhile. The BSL has always been top dog and reminds her constantly. Kind of why I wanted more chickens. Think I need to keep them separated till they are closer in size? Pull the Sussex out for a week or so? Worried then that the BSL will take over the punishment.

I pen my chicks where they can be seen for a few days before I start supervised mingling. That usually goes on for about a week before things settle down. After that I let the littlest out when I'm around, and can watch for troubles. I put them away at night or when I'm not around. Generally within a month or so I can leave them out.

Make sure your chicks have hiding spots or places to slip in or under to escape the adults.

 

[gator75]

Thanks. Probably harder with only two hens, but was expecting that.