Calcium, Oyster Shells and Apple Cider Vinegar for soft or shell-less eggs or membrane only no hard

[LaLa Chickie]

Help? Yesterday, this is what I got from my Brahmas. One egg layed in the water dish and 2 others laid in their coop....so today I peeled my boiled eggs, got out my bullet and pulverized the shells and hand fed it to LaLa and ChaCha, of course Madonna and Betty and Boops wanted in on it too...I put the Oyster Shell bowl next to the water on my patio so I can see if they are eating it. I read somewhere to add apple cider vinegar to their water to help absorption...ever heard of that? Now what? The Plymouth Rocks and EE's eggs are perfect...that's 5 out of 7 egg layers in our household lay perfect eggs all the time! Just a problem with these two Brahmas...

 

[sumi]

Have they only started laying recently? Shell less and soft shelled eggs are more common in young layers who are still getting their reproductive systems in gear, but you may occasionally get one from an older layer too. I wouldn't worry unless it is continuos. If that's the case it could be due to insufficient calcium in their diets or possibly problems absorbing the calcium from their food. Certain disease and internal or external parasites can also cause this. On the ACV there is opposing thoughts and opinions, but I have found my hens laid better when I started adding a splash to their drink water now and then, so I would give it a try.

 

[LaLa Chickie]

Have they only started laying recently? Shell less and soft shelled eggs are more common in young layers who are still getting their reproductive systems in gear, but you may occasionally get one from an older layer too. I wouldn't worry unless it is continuos. If that's the case it could be due to insufficient calcium in their diets or possibly problems absorbing the calcium from their food. Certain disease and internal or external parasites can also cause this. On the ACV there is opposing thoughts and opinions, but I have found my hens laid better when I started adding a splash to their drink water now and then, so I would give it a try.

Yes, LaLa and ChaCha have only been laying for the past month or so..they are 8months. I got them October 31 2012 so I would say they are about 8 months. They were late layers compared to my EE and Plymouth Rocks, who started really early. I kept them on starter twice as long as most, but Jessica the Plymouth that was raised with them is in the coop with them and so they all eat the same feed and Jessica lays perfect eggs almost daily and started at about 4 months. Today ChaCha laid a perfect egg. LaLa hasn't laid yet .. it's still very hot today it's 5p and 102. They are eating the Calcium (oyster shells) getting lots of water and the feed I put on the porch so they didn't have to stroll to their coops. So the Apple Cider Vinegar, maybe a Tbl. in a 5 gallon metal container is ok? Or does it have to be a plastic water container? Thank you for responding.

 

[lazy gardener]

Yes, LaLa and ChaCha have only been laying for the past month or so..they are 8months. I got them October 31 2012 so I would say they are about 8 months. They were late layers compared to my EE and Plymouth Rocks, who started really early. I kept them on starter twice as long as most, but Jessica the Plymouth that was raised with them is in the coop with them and so they all eat the same feed and Jessica lays perfect eggs almost daily and started at about 4 months. Today ChaCha laid a perfect egg. LaLa hasn't laid yet .. it's still very hot today it's 5p and 102. They are eating the Calcium (oyster shells) getting lots of water and the feed I put on the porch so they didn't have to stroll to their coops. So the Apple Cider Vinegar, maybe a Tbl. in a 5 gallon metal container is ok? Or does it have to be a plastic water container? Thank you for responding.

Don't put it in a metal container. It will oxidize the metal. If you can get ACV with active culture, that will be the best. Look for the label to say Apple Cider Vinegar "with the mother". One brand we have locally here is Heinz.

 

[LaLa Chickie]

Don't put it in a metal container. It will oxidize the metal. If you can get ACV with active culture, that will be the best. Look for the label to say Apple Cider Vinegar "with the mother". One brand we have locally here is Heinz.

okay, I'll do that..Thank you!