Egg bound pullet

[Sandstorm]

I have an 18 week old black sex link pullet that started laying eggs 8 days ago. She laid an egg every day for 5 days. Then on the 6th day I seen her inside the nesting box for about an hour but there was no egg. She spent about an hour on the 7th day in the nest box again and still no egg. Other then sitting in the nesting box without laying an egg she acted completely normal the rest of the day both days. She was eating, drinking and doing everything she normally does. She also looked good. Her posture was normal and she had a bright red comb so I wasn't sure if there was a problem or if she was just taking a break from laying. Today (which is the third day without laying an egg) I checked the nest and run for an egg and still nothing so I decided to treat her for egg bound. I went looking for her and found her hiding in the shade and she was a little slumped over. I put vitamins in her water and dipped her beak in the vitamin water about every 10 min or so to get her to drink it. (I'm not sure if she was drinking or eating normal today) I soaked her in some warm water. Within about 5 min after soaking her she laid a shell less egg. About 20 minutes after laying the egg I decided to soak her in warm water again to clean some of the sticky egg mess off her. When I took her out of the warm bath she laid a 2nd shell less egg. I waited about 20 more min then soaked her again to clean her up. She is now drinking and eating again and acting 100%. I am feeding my pullets all flock feed with free choice oyster shell on the side. They get some black soldier fly treats once or twice a week. Half my pullets are 18 weeks and half are 15 weeks. I only have 2 pullets out of 12 that are laying. My question is since she laid 2 shell less eggs should I switch them all over to layer feed? I worry about the younger ones eating the layer feed because I heard its not good to feed layer feed until they actually start laying unfortunately that could be another month or so for the rest of them. I'm also worried the 2 laying pullets are not getting enough nutrition from the all flock feed. I've seen both layers eating the oyster shell so I know they have been eating it. Could the shell less egg and her being egg bound just be caused from her being new to laying and eventually work itself out? She is my favorite chicken and I'm really worried about her. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Shell less eggs generally have nothing to do with calcium intake. She will consume oyster shells for calcium as she needs them.

Sex links can often release multiple ovum and will either lay big double yolk eggs or will have one be shell less because they can't apply a shell to both in the time it takes.

Shell less eggs can be harder to lay due to the friction. I'm glad you got it out. Keep an eye on her.

I personally would keep them on a higher protein feed. Sex links need a higher protein ration due to their higher production.

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x

 

[Sandstorm]

I think their feed is 16% protein so I will switch them over to 20% protein. Thank you! I'm so thankful for this website I would not have known how to help her without it and probably would have lost her. I'm still very new to chickens and would not have known what to do. I hope she is going to be okay and goes back to laying without any problems. I'm not going to sleep well tonight I'm so worried about her.

 

[aart]

Shell less eggs can be harder to lay due to the friction.

Think it's more because there's nothing hard for the contractions to push against...
...and/or a lack of calcium produces weak contractions.

I've seen both layers eating the oyster shell so I know they have been eating it. Could the shell less egg and her being egg bound just be caused from her being new to laying and eventually work itself out?

If they are eating the OS, I'd put it down to new layer glitch...just keep an eye out...like you are already doing. Good job on catching the trouble and remediating the problem!

 

[DobieLover]

I have nothing else to offer this thread other than I applaud your observations and quick actions to aid your girl! I hope I'll be as good a new chicken owner as you are! Being well read and educated BEFORE you need to react to a situation is priceless and that is what BYC is all about. Thank goodness for this site.