Desperate and upset.

[Newfarmer36]

Don’t worry it’s a common problem that all poultry owners face
There is many reasons
Causes:

1) Young layers often lay soft-shelled eggs when they are first getting started. This should stop once their reproductive systems mature and fully develop.

2) Stress can cause a hen to lay her egg prematurely without the shell. Being chased by children, or harassed by dogs or other predators can be the cause of great stress and fright.

3) Older hens often lay thin-shelled eggs since the same amount of shell must encompass a much larger amount of yolk/white than when she was younger (eggs generally get larger as a hen ages).

4) A Calcium deficiency can result in soft-shelled eggs, so be sure you provide the added calcium supplement in the form of egg- or oyster shell.

5) A Vitamin D deficiency can also result in eggs with soft shells, so allowing your chickens time outdoors year round is important.

6) Far less common, soft-shelled eggs can be a symptom of such diseases as Newcastle disease or infectious bronchitis. If you are regularly seeing soft-shelled eggs, a vet should be consulted if you have ruled out all other causes.


Prevention:

1) Crushed eggshell or oyster shell should always be made available to your flock on a free-choice basis, not mixed into their feed. This way each hen can eat as much or as little as she needs. Different hens absorb calcium differently, and depending on how good a layer she is, one hen may just need more than another.

2) Avoid feeding spinach, as well as beet greens, chards and citrus fruits, all of which which can interfere with calcium absorption. If soft-shelled eggs are a problem, try cutting those treats out completely. If you do feed them in the future, add some apple cider vinegar to their water (1 Tablespoon of ACV per gallon of water) which helps increase calcium absorption rates

3) Add some herbs and other greens rich in calcium to their diet. These include: alfalfa, burdock root, chamomile, chickweed, clover, dandelion greens, horsetail, lambs quarter, mustard greens, nettle, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf, rose hips and watercress.

4) In severe cases, some liquid calcium can be added to your flock's water as an added calcium boost.

I'm glad you posted this bc I gave them salad mix for months everyday and it had spinach in it.

 

[Mckennas poultry]

Feed them chicken mash or pellets you can get this at your local tractor supply/pet shop

Here’s a website for treats you can give them
https://blog.mypetchicken.com/2012/03/02/treats-for-chickens/

 

[Newfarmer36]

First off.. kudos to you for stepping up and taking them in.
Caring for farm critters can be daunting in the best of situations so don't beat yourself up. We were all once beginners and have had to learn and are still learning.
There could be a number of things going on so first off some questions.
How many chickens total are in the coop?
What size coop? Is there a run and if so how big?
How long do they get to free range daily?
What are feeding and what is the protein percentage?
Do you offer grit and oyster shell freely?
And these are just the basics so be prepared for more questions, it's the only way to help figure out what's going on. I sure hope we can get it all settled and get you on your way to a happy healthy flock.
@WVduckchick
@casportpony
@orrpeople
Can you please see if you can with any of this? And thank you in advance.

I have 15 chickens in a 12×12 coop. I know it's too small but my budget hinders me to build a bigger one. During the week, I let them out around 2:30. That's when I get home from work and they free range until they decide to go back in the coop. On the weekends, I let them out in the mornings between 6:30 - 7 which is when I wake up. They get regular layer pellets. I don't know the protein percent. I filled their bucket and threw the bag away. They get oyster shell and crushed up egg shells.

 

[Newfarmer36]

Feed them chicken mash or pellets you can get this at your local tractor supply/pet shop

Here’s a website for treats you can give them
https://blog.mypetchicken.com/2012/03/02/treats-for-chickens/

Thank you. I'll go to tractor supply tomorrow evening

 

[Newfarmer36]

New layers will lay all sorts of interesting eggs. Small big no shell rubbery shell and of course double and triple yolkers. I dont know a lot about how to help if its more than that but it looks like you have gotten a lot of great info. Hope all works out.

Thank you! That's why I posted on this site. Everyone is very helpful .

 

[Newfarmer36]

Here’s some websites that will help you out a load on how to care for your chickens and how to keep them all happy and healthy

https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-Chickens

https://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-care/guide-toc.aspx

https://www.thespruce.com/daily-and-monthly-chicken-care-tasks-3016823


https://www.backyardchickencoops.com.au/a-complete-beginners-guide-to-keeping-chickens

Don’t worry, we all start off in different ways, some are more experienced and know everything and some are only getting started and learn as they go on ! I wish you the best of luck

Thank you!

 

[Newfarmer36]

If it's really hot the chickens will be drinking a lot more and that can cause runny poop.
I occasionally see a soft shell egg and it's normal. Just make sure you have oyster shell available free choice all the time.

p.s. We've all made mistakes with our flock sometimes so don't be too hard on yourself about it!

I just don't want them to suffer bc of my mistakes .

 

[Newfarmer36]

God BLESS YOU!!!! what kind of horrible pet owners would leave their animals to die

My step cousin. Smh. It's awful. They didn't ask if I wanted them. They just left.

 

[Newfarmer36]

The shell-less eggs just mean they need more calcium from oyster shell, other than that one day without water won't kill them because of your accident.

Thank you! I sure hope not!

 

[Newfarmer36]

I've had some lay those shell less eggs before. I was told that when they are young their body is still figuring out what to do. Some cracked oyster shell may help with that. As far as the runny poop, mine also get that from time to time. For me as long as it's a healthy color I don't worry too much. Usually it passes. If it starts to look like blood is in it or more water that poop then you may have a problem.

This is what it looks like.