First layer in new flock will not eat calcium supplement.

[thecatumbrella]

I'm a big fan of the all-flock (or chick) feed with oyster shell on the side. It worked pretty well in my last flock, with the exception of my final layer. She would not touch it and became egg bound, so we just switched to layer feed.

With the new flock, my FIRST layer will not touch it. She's had maybe a piece or two. Got all puffed up trying to get that first egg out, so I gave calcium citrate. She felt better, and the egg popped out a day or two later. Got her a new style of calcium supplement (LitChicks). She won't touch that either. Now she's puffed up again for egg #2.

What the heck am I supposed to do? No one else is even squatting yet, so I really don't want to switch them to layer feed. Everyone's 18 weeks old today (first egg was at 17 weeks, 5 days!). Do I just keep giving her calcium when she needs it? Kind of annoying, but I'll do what I have to do.

 

[NatJ]

Do I just keep giving her calcium when she needs it?

Probably yes.

If your chickens like wet mash (chicken feed + water), you can add oyster shell or other calcium supplement to a small amount of the mash for her, and let her eat it separately from the others. That probably takes longer than popping a pill down her throat, but might be more pleasant. It might also help her make the connection that eating calcium helps her feel healthy, although that might just be wishful thinking on my part!

 

[Altairsky]

I'd keep giving her calcium pills whenever she needs it. Anyway if the eggs have a decent shell, it might not be lack of calcium but something else.
Maybe she'll grow out of it, those first eggs are often hard to push out for young pullets. One of my pullets laid bloody eggs for a while before her body adapted to their size.

 

[Mrs. K]

Personally I would just add the layer feed. Really it will be fine as your birds will be laying in weeks. However, do know that I am pretty laid back and have never given any chicken a calcium pill.

Mrs K

 

[Bawkbok]

It takes new layers some time (days/weeks/months) for the egg laying machine to calibrate properly for consistency. I wouldn't worry too much about it and let her body regulate itself. I also wouldn't worry about her not eating calcium on the side. We have a BO that never touches it ever. She lays perfect beautiful eggs with rarely a day off but it took her a couple of weeks to get straightened out; she apparently doesn't require the additional calcium. Chickens know what they need and she'll eat it if she needs it. Keeping them on the same feed is fine; no need to switch to layer. Congratulations on the new eggies.