Egg bound with occasional shell-less eggs Opal Legbar

[Pixelsaurus]

We bought a 20 month old Opal Legbar off Craigslist 7 weeks ago (May 16). She laid one blue egg on the second or third day and then found a shell-less egg in the run at the end of her first week (5/22). We saw nothing again from her until a month later (6/25). Then we finally got an egg from her on 6/28 and again on 7/3. But are still seeing shell-less eggs (6/30 & 7/4).

I know that the egg-bound issues could be the new coop. We got an Ameracuana (same age) from the same source and she is laying consistently 4-5 eggs a week.

We have been trying to increase calcium - providing oyster shells and crushed shells from the Ameracuana and a lots of swiss chard from the garden. I have tried isolating her in the run and giving her yogurt (we have a younger flock of 15 week olds). Even crushing up oyster shell in the yogurt once or twice. That seems to have helped, but she needs more. Even the eggs she is laying have very thin shells.

Any thoughts on adding calcium? And is there worry about the younger chickens (15 wk) getting too much calcium?

 

[Perris]

they also need Vit d in order to utilize the calcium. Try giving some cod liver oil, or a calcium tablet that has vit d included.

 

[aart]

You may have bought a 'lemon'.

I know that the egg-bound issues could be the new coop.

Laying soft shelled eggs is not the same as egg binding,
tho they are harder to move down the pike due to no hard surface for the canal contractions to work against.

What is their normal diet?
Adding 'extras' can dilute the vitamins/minerals/amino acids in the formulated feed, which are vital to the uptake and application of the calcium...so just adding more calcium may not help at all.

 

[Pixelsaurus]

So she seems to be doing both. Started with binding (no egg or soft shells for 5 weeks), then we see soft/no shell and occasional thinned shelled properly laid egg.

The feed is an issue. We feed them HH feed whole-grain-layer-blend. But, I still have chick food out for the pullets and I see her eating that food sometimes. For a few weeks I tried isolating her with the adult food, but it was hard to keep up.

On the subject of adult v chick food - the pullets have been more interested in the adult food. They are 15 weeks now. Is there a concern for younger chicks eating the layer feed?

 

[Pixelsaurus]

they also need Vit d in order to utilize the calcium. Try giving some cod liver oil, or a calcium tablet that has vit d included.

Thanks, I will give the Vitamin D a try!

 

[aart]

Started with binding (no egg or soft shells for 5 weeks)

No eggs doesn't mean egg bound...birds in a new place might not lay well or at all until they are settled in...and not all birds lay every day.
An egg bound hen is very obviously ill. Lethargic, penguin walking, juicy poops, etc.

The feed is an issue. We feed them HH feed whole-grain-layer-blend. But, I still have chick food out for the pullets and I see her eating that food sometimes. For a few weeks I tried isolating her with the adult food, but it was hard to keep up.

Older birds like that chick feed, higher in protein!
I assume the chick feed is a crumble or mash?
One problem with cracked/whole grain feeds is the fines(vitamins/minerals/amino acids) settles to the bottom and are not consumed.
Good to wet or ferment those types of feed.

On the subject of adult v chick food - the pullets have been more interested in the adult food. They are 15 weeks now. Is there a concern for younger chicks eating the layer feed?

Eh, probably OK.
I, and many others, have never used layer feed. All ages and genders get an 'all flock' type feed with Oyster Shell in a separate container for the active layers.

 

[Perris]

Is there a concern for younger chicks eating the layer feed?

it's not ideal but it is unlikely to kill them either - it's just got excess calcium for their needs

 

[Pixelsaurus]

No eggs doesn't mean egg bound...birds in a new place might not lay well or at all until they are settled in...and not all birds lay every day.
An egg bound hen is very obviously ill. Lethargic, penguin walking, juicy poops, etc.

Thanks. I was unsure what "egg bound" really means. She acts pretty normal. Eating well, running around with the others. So perhaps it is just acclimating to the new environment. (she is a bit more skittish than the other hen).

Older birds like that chick feed, higher in protein!
I assume the chick feed is a crumble or mash?
One problem with cracked/whole grain feeds is the fines(vitamins/minerals/amino acids) settles to the bottom and are not consumed.
Good to wet or ferment those types of feed.

Yes, the chick feed is a crumble. Same stuff we have had since we got the 1 week old Isa Browns at the Tractor Supply. I started with adult pellet food I bought on my way home from the Craigslist deal, but the girls didn't seem to like to eat it. So I bought what the lady had been feeding them. I also have Layena crumbles - but am worried that isn't good for the pullets, so I am not adding that to their feed yet.

Hmm, I wondered about all that food waste that settles to the bottom. They tend to just pick out the good stuff like a toddler and throw everything else around. Sigh. Will try and wet the feed.

Eh, probably OK.
I, and many others, have never used layer feed. All ages and genders get an 'all flock' type feed with Oyster Shell in a separate container for the active layers.

I have put out a container of oyster shells - which I also mix in some of the shells from our other hen. I was a little worried about having the container out where the pullets could get into it. But hopefully they won't eat them until they get closer to laying - they are only 15 weeks old.

 

[aart]

I started with adult pellet food I bought on my way home from the Craigslist deal, but the girls didn't seem to like to eat it.

Changing feed, especially when it's in a different form, can take time.
They'll eat it if they get hungry enough.

I was a little worried about having the container out where the pullets could get into it. But hopefully they won't eat them until they get closer to laying - they are only 15 weeks old.

They may take a taste or three, but won't eat enough to bother them.

 

[Pixelsaurus]

Update - Thanks everyone. The added Vitamin D seemed to do the trick. We have gotten 7 blue hard shelled eggs in the past 10 days from Bandit! Also, after I had finally got an egg from Bandit Jun 28th, I was excited that I updated their nesting boxes with added curtains. Don't think that would have any effect on the shell hardiness - but the consistency seems like they are happy chickens.