Brenda not laying with Shell

[VonnieD]

My 2 year old Red, Brenda is laying eggs without shells. She is not eating her greens or shell grit or even her egg laying seed. She seems happy but has a dirty bottom. My other chook, Phyllis is a good layer and very happy and has strong shells.

What does poor Brenda need please? They roam our large garden all day and have access to seed and water all day and their coop. Thank you. From Von in South Australia.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi. You say she is not eating her shell grit, greens, or seeds. Is she eating anything at all, and if so, what? Has she ever laid good eggs, and if so when did she start laying shell-less eggs? How old is she? Do you feed layer pellets or crumbles, or just these "seeds"? Can you post a picture of the seeds? When you say "shell grit," is this crushed oyster shell, or crushed granite grit? Sorry for all the questions but it will help us help you.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Sorry, I see you say she is 2 years old.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My 2 year old Red, Brenda is laying eggs without shells. She is not eating her greens or shell grit or even her egg laying seed. She seems happy but has a dirty bottom. My other chook, Phyllis is a good layer and very happy and has strong shells.

What does poor Brenda need please? They roam our large garden all day and have access to seed and water all day and their coop. Thank you. From Von in South Australia.

I would give her 1 Calcium Citrate+D3 tablet once daily for a week. Just pull down on her wattles, pop the tablet into the beak and let her swallow.

You can find Calcium Citrate with D3 in the vitamin aisle of stores like Walmart, CVS, online or through your local pharmacy.

Has she been dewormed? If possible, take a sample of her poop to your vet for a fecal float to see if she needs deworming.

You are in AU, so Flubendazole likely it what you'll find for deworming, if you are unable to get a fecal float through your vet. You might find Panacur (Fenbendazole).

 

[VonnieD]

I would give her 1 Calcium Citrate+D3 tablet once daily for a week. Just pull down on her wattles, pop the tablet into the beak and let her swallow.

You can find Calcium Citrate with D3 in the vitamin aisle of stores like Walmart, CVS, online or through your local pharmacy.

Has she been dewormed? If possible, take a sample of her poop to your vet for a fecal float to see if she needs deworming.

You are in AU, so Flubendazole likely it what you'll find for deworming, if you are unable to get a fecal float through your vet. You might find Panacur (Fenbendazole).

You are amazing. Thank you so much. I will do all of that. I will let you know how she goes. I appreciate your time on my behalf

 

[Saaniya]

My 2 year old Red, Brenda is laying eggs without shells. She is not eating her greens or shell grit or even her egg laying seed. She seems happy but has a dirty bottom. My other chook, Phyllis is a good layer and very happy and has strong shells.

What does poor Brenda need please? They roam our large garden all day and have access to seed and water all day and their coop. Thank you. From Von in South Australia.

calcium is low in her blood level
there’s only supplemental calcium not oyster shell supplemental calcium design for birds will help her along with a prebiotic probiotics

 

[VonnieD]

You are amazing. Thank you so much. I will do all of that. I will let you know how she goes. I appreciate your time on my behalf

Dear Wyorp Rock,

I have treated both my girls with the worming tablets as you suggested and the Calcium Citrate. Yesterday my Brenda produced an egg with a Shell, but soft. Today she produced a lovely egg with a firm shell. It's a miracle I'm sure.

How long do I need to give her the calcium for ? The other chook, Phyllis does not have the same problem but she is only a young lass. But I did dose her with the Calcium too.

Thank you again for your marvellous assistance. And the way you told me to give it to them was so easy and they didn't mind at all.

God bless.

You are amazing. Thank you so much. I will do all of that. I will let you know how she goes. I appreciate your time on my behalf

 

[VonnieD]

Sorry, I see you say she is 2 years old.

Yes she is. And Phyllis is about 6 months.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Dear Wyorp Rock,

I have treated both my girls with the worming tablets as you suggested and the Calcium Citrate. Yesterday my Brenda produced an egg with a Shell, but soft. Today she produced a lovely egg with a firm shell. It's a miracle I'm sure.

How long do I need to give her the calcium for ? The other chook, Phyllis does not have the same problem but she is only a young lass. But I did dose her with the Calcium too.

Thank you again for your marvellous assistance. And the way you told me to give it to them was so easy and they didn't mind at all.

God bless.

I'm glad Brenda has laid a firm shelled egg. I'd give her the extra calcium for 3 more days, then see how she does.

 

[VonnieD]

Hi. You say she is not eating her shell grit, greens, or seeds. Is she eating anything at all, and if so, what? Has she ever laid good eggs, and if so when did she start laying shell-less eggs? How old is she? Do you feed layer pellets or crumbles, or just these "seeds"? Can you post a picture of the seeds? When you say "shell grit," is this crushed oyster shell, or crushed granite grit? Sorry for all the questions but it will help us help you.

Crushed oyster shells. She has chook seed. The seed comes from the Fodder Store. It is actually REAL chicken seed. And egg layer pellets. Long grey pellets. She has vegetables and loves cheese and a bit of chopped mince. She loves oats. And I cook them rice. She eats very well. I was dosing her with calcium every night but it seems unfair to the poor thing. They have both been wormed. The coop is clean. I change the straw often. And clean out all the poo daily. I make sure they are warm and cosy and have a pumped up bed. They have plenty of water. And access all around the garden. No vermin around. Maybe a pesky cat visits occasionally but it doesn't upset them. Do I persevered with the calcium tablets? Or is there some other way to give her a dose? I'm sorry I disappeared. My son cleaned up my apps. Lol. He's a bugga. Thank you.
Von from Mannum South Australia