Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

I have found getting up not as bad as getting down.

I am going to lower my roosts to 3' they are 4' right now.

How high are your roosts right now?

Eight feet up.

 

[featherhead007]

Your up early....

What time is it?

 

[Ponypoor]

I continue to find 'over night' eggs with paper thin shells that have fallen into the floor under the roost. At first I thought it was my young pullet but now I think it's old Penelope. She seems well enough, eating, running about, all the things chickens do.

But these soft eggs are a concern. She is 6 yrs old this year. Has anyone had this sort of thing occur? I don't care if she spits out these eggs I just don't want her to have any issues.

Oh and everyone is now on layer crumble along with the usual oyster shell .

 

[Ponypoor]

Eight feet up.

Wow that's high!

If they are used to getting up there they are likely ok. They will figure it out.

 

[Ponypoor]

What time is it?

Time for a new watch!

Time for me to get out and clean stalls it's cold here again -3C. I don't like going out when it's cold!

 

[RoyalChick]

I continue to find 'over night' eggs with paper thin shells that have fallen into the floor under the roost. At first I thought it was my young pullet but now I think it's old Penelope. She seems well enough, eating, running about, all the things chickens do.

But these soft eggs are a concern. She is 6 yrs old this year. Has anyone had this sort of thing occur? I don't care if she spits out these eggs I just don't want her to have any issues.

Oh and everyone is now on layer crumble along with the usual oyster shell .

Yes. Diana hasn’t laid an egg with a real shell for a long time now.
Sometimes no shell and sometimes a paper thin shell that breaks in contact.
I had hoped after the winter break she would correct things but unfortunately not.
I have given her loads of calcium pills but it seems to make no difference.

 

[featherhead007]

Wow that's high!

If they are used to getting up there they are likely ok. They will figure it out.

I hope so. I wouldn’t want any of them to be hurt

 

[Sally PB]

I continue to find 'over night' eggs with paper thin shells that have fallen into the floor under the roost. At first I thought it was my young pullet but now I think it's old Penelope. She seems well enough, eating, running about, all the things chickens do.

But these soft eggs are a concern. She is 6 yrs old this year. Has anyone had this sort of thing occur? I don't care if she spits out these eggs I just don't want her to have any issues.

Yes. Diana hasn’t laid an egg with a real shell for a long time now.
Sometimes no shell and sometimes a paper thin shell that breaks in contact.
I had hoped after the winter break she would correct things but unfortunately not.
I have given her loads of calcium pills but it seems to make no difference.

I might have this issue with one of my 2 year old hens. I've found 2 soft shelled eggs on the poop board. Thought I knew who it was, then wasn't sure.

My girls aren't cuddly, so no opening the beak and stuffing in a Citrical. I have to disguise it as a treat some way. Still working on that method. I'll let you know if I find something that works well.

They eat 20% all flock and have access to both egg shells and oyster shell on the side. The one good thing: No one has discovered how tasty eggs are. Whew!

 

[RoyalChick]

I might have this issue with one of my 2 year old hens. I've found 2 soft shelled eggs on the poop board. Thought I knew who it was, then wasn't sure.

My girls aren't cuddly, so no opening the beak and stuffing in a Citrical. I have to disguise it as a treat some way. Still working on that method. I'll let you know if I find something that works well.

They eat 20% all flock and have access to both egg shells and oyster shell on the side. The one good thing: No one has discovered how tasty eggs are. Whew!

You can actually buy calcium (mix of citrate and carbonate) with Vit D as a powder (look in bulk supplements on Amazon). Or you could grind up the tablets with a pestle & mortar. A powder is easier to mix in with mash or coconut oil or whatever.
That said, I wouldn't give up on the pill method. My chickens are sociable with me but not cuddly either. I find if you get them off the roost at night and hold them like a football under your arm you can quite easily pop a pill down their throat and then put them back on the roost with no fuss.

 

[Ponypoor]

Yes. Diana hasn’t laid an egg with a real shell for a long time now.
Sometimes no shell and sometimes a paper thin shell that breaks in contact.
I had hoped after the winter break she would correct things but unfortunately not.
I have given her loads of calcium pills but it seems to make no difference.

I don't care about the eggs, just want to ensure she is ok. I am fairly certain hormonal imbalances are common in older hens same as horses and cattle...

The fallen eggs are a great find for the gals, as @Kris5902 calls them 'the orbs of power'. They don't eat the shell or membrane tho surprisingly enough, just the lovely innards! Mmmmmm yummy!