Copper Marans on strike, with an occasional tease.

[gvilledh]

I have a Black Copper Maran and a Blue Copper Maran. Both are right at a year old. They started laying in late January, and laid a couple of times a week for the first few weeks. The Black Copper started laying first and was more consistent. The Blue Copper always laid her egg beside the nest boxes and would lay once a week, maybe twice and only for about three weeks. They then stopped, with maybe one egg each in the last two months or more. Last week we finally got an egg from each of them, but both eggs had chalky shells and one was very thin. The flock has oyster shell, but these two seem to ignore it. We have started adding some to their food, just to make sure they are getting it. The person we got the hatching eggs from said that Marans often need more protein than other breeds. We are trying increase it, and they did finally lay those last two eggs once we did. Could the protein be the issue? Everyone in the flock is getting layer feed with some starter mixed in for extra protein already and oyster shell available. How else can we increase their protein easily and economically? These are two of my favorites, but may end up being rehomed if they aren't going to produce anything since they are large birds and eat quite a bit. Our Cuckoo Maran lays great and only slowed down in the winter.
Any suggestions?

 

[realsis]

you can add bone meal to the food for extra protein just dust it on the food. you can get a jar of bone meal for around 10 dollars.but get the kind made for feeding. it also gives an excellent source of calcium and phosphorus. the kind for feed is sterilized for feeding. I believe you can buy it online. that's where I found mine. I occasionally dust my food with it for the benefits. best wishes.