Difficult start to egg laying season

[Mjwaker]

I seem to be having a tricky start to the new egg laying season.

I've had one girl go off food for over 24 hrs after laying an egg. Another laying a heavily power coated egg (assuming calcium excess) then become withdrawn and off food. Both back to normal. And a third this morning found penguin standing.

She has been brough in for espon soak bath. And a quiet space to try and pass it.

My girls are age ranges between 2-3

They have access to grit and oyster shell. The have a good quality layers feed. The have a clean coop, good size pen, plenty of nest boxes. There doest seem to be any obvious stresses- no bullying, no obvious predators (I have cameras). Treats are kept to a minimum. They are upto date with worming, no obvious external parasites. They have apple cider vinegar and poultry vitamins throughout the month.

I recall maybe a few hiccups last year but this seems to be relentless over the past few days.

Is it normal for hens to struggle like this when starting to lay again after the winter season? Any thoughts, experiences and recommendations welcome please

 

[Mjwaker]

Update. She laid a brittle/soft shell.

So one hen laying heavily calcium deposited egg and another a soft shell.

I'm at a loss of what/if I'm doing anything wrong

 

[rosemarythyme]

Eggs at the start of the laying season can often be wonky - soft shelled, small, laid off roost, off color, etc.

I'd lay off the vitamins though, if you're already using a commercial feed and aren't offering too many treats, their feed already contains the vitamins they need. Too much of anything is not a good thing.

 

[aart]

I'd lay off the vitamins though, if you're already using a commercial feed and aren't offering too many treats, their feed already contains the vitamins they need. Too much of anything is not a good thing.

...and the ACV.
A good chicken ration and plain clean water is all they need.

 

[NanaK]

Agree with the above posts.

What breeds are they?

Sometimes breeds created for high production can start with reproduction tract issues around 2-3 years old.

 

[Mjwaker]

Agree with the above posts.

What breeds are they?

Sometimes breeds created for high production can start with reproduction tract issues around 2-3 years old

Different breeds

Cream leg bar
Bluebell
And french cooper maran

 

[NanaK]

Different breeds

Cream leg bar
Bluebell
And french cooper maran

I have Cream Legbars and Marans, never had Bluebells, not sure if they are a hybrid. I would not normally expect these to have early reproduction tract issues like some of the production hybrids but I suppose any hen could.

I would think maybe it's just a hiccup with starting back laying. If you notice more soft shell eggs or egg binding, you can give the affected hen a calcium tablet (Tums) for a few days to see if it helps.

Sometimes it's a one off thing and you never see it again. Also my hens eat egg shells better than store bought oyster shell. So I always break them up and give those as well as keep oyster shell out for them.

I hope you see no more problems but do let us know how they are.

 

[Mjwaker]

I have Cream Legbars and Marans, never had Bluebells, not sure if they are a hybrid. I would not normally expect these to have early reproduction tract issues like some of the production hybrids but I suppose any hen could.

I would think maybe it's just a hiccup with starting back laying. If you notice more soft shell eggs or egg binding, you can give the affected hen a calcium tablet (Tums) for a few days to see if it helps.

Sometimes it's a one off thing and you never see it again. Also my hens eat egg shells better than store bought oyster shell. So I always break them up and give those as well as keep oyster shell out for them.

I hope you see no more problems but do let us know how they are.

Can I ask how you prepare the egg shells to give them. Sorry if that's a silly question

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can I ask how you prepare the egg shells to give them. Sorry if that's a silly question

You can simply crush them as is, or bake them and then crush them (I put them in the oven when preheating for a casserole or whatnot, and that's plenty of heat).

 

[Mjwaker]

You can simply crush them as is, or bake them and then crush them (I put them in the oven when preheating for a casserole or whatnot, and that's plenty of heat).

Thankyou. Last question. How long would you bake them for?