dosage for Calcium?

[Ry123]

Hi everyone so yesterday I woke up to find my hen pooping out egg yolk. I posted in the emergency section and was told to provide the hen with some sort of extra calcium to help her pass her egg. The Thread was titled " Hen pooping egg yolk" although she is only 7 months old. is this calcium tablet okay to feed her? I am planning on opening up the capsule and sprinkling it on some boiled egg.

And if I can use it how much of it should I sprinkle on the egg? Thank you for the help!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

This is the side of the label you should have shown. Not all calcium sources are the same. In this case, the product is Calcium Carbonate. I'll leave it to one of the actual experts to tell you dosage - but yes, calcium carbonate (same thing that makes up the majority of oyster shell) is safe for chickens in appropriate dosages.

Its also almost seless to humans - we do much better with calcium citrate.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I pill once a day until the problem resolves, and she is back to laying normal. No need to crush and sprinkle, hold her firmly pull down on her waddles until her beak opens then pop the whole pill in her mouth and she'll swallow it

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I will also add that you need to watch for signs of infection

 

[Ry123]

How will I know when she has a infection @Auntiejessi3 ? And what can i do to prevent it

 

[Mr Spot]

My choice has always been oyster shell, I never have tried to shove a calcium pill down a chickens throat.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

My choice has always been oyster shell, I never have tried to shove a calcium pill down a chickens throat.

I do too, but I have a light brahma that won't touch it, only crushed egg shells, so when egg shells are in short supply I give her a calcium pill a few times a week

 

[Auntiejessi3]

How will I know when she has a infection @Auntiejessi3 ? And what can i do to prevent it

Puffed up, not wanting to eat or drink, tail down, discharge from vent. Did she expell the shell? I keep fish cephalexin on hand and fish mox. You can get them at most feed stores. I think the mox would be better in this case but let's tag a couple more knowledgeable folks @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock

 

[MotherofOrpies]

An egg shell can use up to 2g of pure calcium every day, and when she’s pooping shell lees eggs, it means her calcium reserves have already been depleted, If you give calcium in the evening, it produces egg shells, in the morning, it goes into the bone, give her at least (!) 2 weeks longer calcium after she has laid a perfect egg, or you could start the cycle up again! Some chickens don’t like oyster shells, mine prefer egg shells

 

[Eggcessive]

Calcium carbonate with D3 is more quickly absorbed, but calcium carbonate is fine if that is what you have. Some even use Tums. When an egg breaks inside, there can be a good environment for infection. Antibiotics are frowned upon by most in chickens. But amoxicillin is one that can be helpful, and it only requires a 2 week egg withdrawal time. Using the calcium to see if shell become hardened, and the calcium also can help with muscle contraction to help expel the egg. Some chickens may have issues where the shell gland is not making normal shells.