Broody Hen Lays Shell less eggs - Eggbound?

[Awestruck]

I have an Americauna who lays shell less eggs normally. Right now, she spends most of the time in the nest box. It looks like she is laying. Sometimes, when she lays an egg, the egg will be somewhere in the coop. Usually the other chickens step on it. If I find it in time, I'll take it and save it if it is intact and not too dirty.
I am concerned though, because she stays in the nest box most of the time now. When she does come out, she seems perfectly normal. My question is, is there something I can give her, like liquid calcium, that might help her with her egg laying difficulties? Thanks.

 

[cherrynberry]

I have an Americauna who lays shell less eggs normally. Right now, she spends most of the time in the nest box. It looks like she is laying. Sometimes, when she lays an egg, the egg will be somewhere in the coop. Usually the other chickens step on it. If I find it in time, I'll take it and save it if it is intact and not too dirty.
I am concerned though, because she stays in the nest box most of the time now. When she does come out, she seems perfectly normal. My question is, is there something I can give her, like liquid calcium, that might help her with her egg laying difficulties? Thanks.

What feed do you feed?
Try giving her crushed egg shells, and also pictures of eggs would be helpful!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Try isolating her for a private breakfast. 2-3x a week serve a small bowl (like 1 Tbsp is fine) of wet or fermented feed with oyster shell mixed in. If she does not like chunks of oyster shell, crush it up or use the powdery remnants from bottom of the bag. Should only take her minutes to eat and after that she's free to go.

Assuming her issue is simply insufficient calcium intake, you should see results in a week or two, and you can try reducing it to 1-2x a week and should hopefully continue getting good results. If you still have the same issue, then you might need to try pills of calcium citrate instead.

 

[aart]

Doubt 'broody' or 'egg bound' are issues here.

Knowing about feed would help.

 

[Awestruck]

I give them Purina organic layer pellets, with egg builder added in. They do get a lot of vegetables and fruit as well. Also organic scratch feed and black oil sunflower seeds.

 

[Awestruck]

I just ordered a bag of oyster shells so I would add that to their feed. It should come today sometime.

 

[aart]

I give them Purina organic layer pellets, with egg builder added in. They do get a lot of vegetables and fruit as well. Also organic scratch feed and black oil sunflower seeds.

Cut out everything but the chicken feed....for a week or two, see if that makes a difference. Also only plain fresh water, no additives.

I just ordered a bag of oyster shells so I would add that to their feed. It should come today sometime.

Do Not mix OS into the feed, offer it in a separate feeder.