Eggs . . . obviously

[Jabbok]

Right now we have 12 hens laying eggs and today we got 12 eggs, BUT this evening 2 of my leghorn (mixed with something else, but not sure what) laid membrane covered eggs (gross feeling, lol). They ate the one egg and I got the first one while I was standing in the coop. Is there something wrong that they're doing that? Their other eggs have shells. I have added more oyster shells to their food dish. Anyway, I was just wondering if that was ok.

 

[gritsar]

It happens from time to time. Unless it becomes a regular occurence I wouldn't worry.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

One of mine has been doing that lately as well. The membranes are thick enough that I can hard boil them and feed them back to them. I think it's usually best to offer the oyster shell in a separate dish rather than directly in the food so that only the ones that really need it can choose to eat as much as they want and those that don't need as much don't have to have it. But, I'm sure there are plenty of people who serve it either of these ways.

 

[Jabbok]

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Ok, thanks! I'll just have to keep an eye on them for a bit.

 

[tuesdays chicks]

new layers getting the production right, I have 1 pullet has been swinging back and forth between shellless eggs (2 a day) pullet eggs and double yolks, to me I think her ovaries are blowing out eggs so fast she hasn't got time to add a shell to some, waiting for the triple yolk to pop out 1 day.

 

[gryeyes]

I echo the suggestion to offer the oyster shell separately, free choice.

 

[Jabbok]

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We've had several double yolks, but never a triple yolk! That is amazing!

 

[Jabbok]

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I'll have to give that a try. And WOW, you have LOTS of chickens!! We have 13 hens and a rooster. One hen is sitting on 4 eggs (was 5, but one hatched today). I'm guessing it's also normal for a broody hen not to lay eggs. She stopped laying eggs after 2 days of sitting.

 

[gritsar]

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I'll have to give that a try. And WOW, you have LOTS of chickens!! We have 13 hens and a rooster. One hen is sitting on 4 eggs (was 5, but one hatched today). I'm guessing it's also normal for a broody hen not to lay eggs. She stopped laying eggs after 2 days of sitting.

Congrats on the chicks. Yeah a broody hen stops laying when she decides to set. You'll love having a broody, it's the absolute best part of owning chickens, to see them raise their babies the way nature intended.

 

[Jabbok]

Quote:
I'll have to give that a try. And WOW, you have LOTS of chickens!! We have 13 hens and a rooster. One hen is sitting on 4 eggs (was 5, but one hatched today). I'm guessing it's also normal for a broody hen not to lay eggs. She stopped laying eggs after 2 days of sitting.

Congrats on the chicks. Yeah a broody hen stops laying when she decides to set. You'll love having a broody, it's the absolute best part of owning chickens, to see them raise their babies the way nature intended.

Yes, I have enjoyed the broody! She seemed a lot more relaxed today since one egg hatched. She's been very focused on the eggs, so I had to do a lot of hand feeding/water dropper stuff. I made her get up about every other day (or every 2 days) for a stretch and dust bath. Our hen is currently in a cage with her chick/eggs. I don't trust the crazy leghorns we have. I think they would outnumber the mamma and try eating the chicks.