I've got a mixed flock of brown and white egg layers. About 90% of the brown eggs will be cracked on the large end almost like they were dropped. Thinking that might be the issue, I added even more straw to the nests and actually watched one hen lay a brown egg this afternoon. As soon as she left the nest I picked the egg up, and yep, cracked on the large end. Had an "impact crater" on it just like it had been dropped. No issues at all with the white eggs. The white egg layers make up 60% of the flock.
I also have a very large Buff Orpington hen who is constantly picking feathers out of the others and eating them. What the heck is up with that, some kind of vitamin deficiency???
Any suggestions on how to solve these? I've been raising chickens off and on for 35 years and have never seen such.
I also have a very large Buff Orpington hen who is constantly picking feathers out of the others and eating them. What the heck is up with that, some kind of vitamin deficiency???
Any suggestions on how to solve these? I've been raising chickens off and on for 35 years and have never seen such.