Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Marie, I don't think you need to be feeling inside.
Here is my understanding - but I am sure others will know more .. .. .. When they lay soft shell eggs (which are really no-shell eggs with just a rubbery membrane) it means there is no shell. And the reason it is a problem is the poor hen finds it hard to get out because there is no hard shell to push against. So if you see a soft-shell egg out in the run or nest box then she has passed it and all is good.
The times you need to feel inside are when an egg gets stuck and you are trying to help her pass it out - or when you have an obviously sick chicken and you are trying to determine if the problem is related to a stuck egg.
As I have read opinions differ on what to do if an egg with a shell breaks inside. Some say you should try and clear out the bits of shell and others seem to think it is better to let them pass on their own. Similar disagreement on antibiotics in that situation. I haven't had to face that yet. My issues have all been soft shelled eggs and given the breed (ISA browns) I assume it is because of something bad in their reproductive system.

This is correct @Marie2020

Softshell eggs never had a shell. There is no reason to look for pieces. I use coconut oil when I do check because of the consistency and I feel like there is another reason not to use olive oil but it escapes my mind.

 

[Kris5902]

Thanks RC. I've investigated the past two days just to be sure and kept up the hygiene. This only began after that medicated food I gave them. I'm not sure if that was the cause but it was purely the timing so kicking myself for ever using it now

What was the nutritional info on the medicated feed? And what is the calcium lime in what you are feeding now? Some things can also decrease the bioavailability of calcium, which is why one with a D3 supplement is also a good idea. Personally for vent related probing I now favour a water based personal lubricant from the family planning aisle… it seems more hygienic than oil and is easier to clean. If I need To use an oil in a pinch, coconut is my go to.

 

[Kris5902]

Yup. Similar to what I give. Calcium citrate is better absorbed than some other forms of calcium so if you can get it that is ideal. But I know Kris uses Tums which are calcium carbonate and those are good too. Generally Calcium Carbonate is cheaper. Both provide calcium.

Yeah, a lot of what I use is based on what I have available to me. DH does most of the town shopping (I haven’t even properly left the farm since November 2021!) when I first had the soft shell eggs crop up with Tiny it was what I had on hand (thank you heartburn! Lol) I don’t have to deal with them often, usually just when the girls decide to go forage or treat heavy, and not eat their pellets, and in new layers, which is usually a very temporary situation. I don’t really care if Tiny doesn’t lay shelled eggs, and she very rarely lays at all… she can just chicken away and do her thing, the flock is large enough to support the freeloaders and non productive males! Lol she is
Three now! Where did all the time go?

 

[featherhead007]

That is a wonderful picture. It's like she is pondering which way her future will take her.

I guess it does look like that, doesn’t it?
(I think she was pondering her worm delivery )

 

[featherhead007]

Sometimes they attach razors to their feet. In fact their owners have been killed by the razors on their rooster's feet.

Arming them is anything but natural, forget that putting them in a contained environment where people are watching is not their normal environment.

At least a few owners got what they deserved! At least a good scratch!

 

[featherhead007]

Well said.

Your “Well said”, was well said!

 

[featherhead007]

I’m having another warm cup of Coco:

 

[Marie2020]

Yup. Similar to what I give. Calcium citrate is better absorbed than some other forms of calcium so if you can get it that is ideal. But I know Kris uses Tums which are calcium carbonate and those are good too. Generally Calcium Carbonate is cheaper. Both provide calcium.

You are so kind trying to help, it maybe another problem but I very much appreciate your thinking on this for me

 

[Marie2020]

@RoyalChick and @Kris

Would the zinc and vit d be okay in the liquid form

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/vitabiotics-osteocare-liquid-60013709

 

[RoyalChick]

@RoyalChick and @Kris

Would the zinc and vit d be okay in the liquid form

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/vitabiotics-osteocare-liquid-60013709

Vitamin D is OK but I would avoid zinc as they can get zinc toxicity.
When chickens swallow screws and other hardware it can kill them by perforating the GI system or because they absorb the zinc and it knocks out something - I think kidneys.
If the only Calcium Citrate you can find comes with zinc then I would go with calcium carbonate (readily available as antacids for indigestion). In the US the brand is Tums - it may be a different brand in the UK.