buffy-the-eggpile-layer
Crowing
- May 29, 2019
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Over the last month, over half of my 2.5 y/o mixed flock has started laying softshell eggs. 4 out of 7 of my hens have been doing so frequently--it's not uncommon for me to get at least one softshell a day. Even the intermittent "normal" eggs from the culprits are often wonky--bumpy, pale, weirdly large, weirdly small, porcelain-like, asymmetrical, etc. What gives?
My flock has been on a diet of purina flockraiser and free choice oyster shells. I provide extra calcium supplementation to the problem hens on occasion with little to no measurable effect. Beyond feed, they free range (supervised) 1-2 hours daily. Treats are minimal, comprising far less than 10% their diets.
Behavior-wise, they seem bright and normal, with plenty of energy and an appetite. Only exception is that they sometimes appear lethargic before laying a softshell egg, only to bounce back right after. Also, sometimes crops get temporarily swollen alongside these issues (this happened once when an egg broke inside a hen, and it went down once she got it all out--luckily I acted fast and we managed to dodge an infection). Another hen tends to get her crop stopped up just before laying, but she's had lifelong laying issues that I've posted about previously.
All were last dewormed in June for a bout of roundworms.
Please let me know what I could be dealing with, and how I might best support my girls! I don't care about not getting eggs--I just want them to be happy and healthy. Thank you!
My flock has been on a diet of purina flockraiser and free choice oyster shells. I provide extra calcium supplementation to the problem hens on occasion with little to no measurable effect. Beyond feed, they free range (supervised) 1-2 hours daily. Treats are minimal, comprising far less than 10% their diets.
Behavior-wise, they seem bright and normal, with plenty of energy and an appetite. Only exception is that they sometimes appear lethargic before laying a softshell egg, only to bounce back right after. Also, sometimes crops get temporarily swollen alongside these issues (this happened once when an egg broke inside a hen, and it went down once she got it all out--luckily I acted fast and we managed to dodge an infection). Another hen tends to get her crop stopped up just before laying, but she's had lifelong laying issues that I've posted about previously.
All were last dewormed in June for a bout of roundworms.
Please let me know what I could be dealing with, and how I might best support my girls! I don't care about not getting eggs--I just want them to be happy and healthy. Thank you!
--they probably can't wait until the semester starts and I'm at work again. The swollen crops tend to be specific to egg laying, and immediately return to normal after the egg passes, as if it was gumming their systems up. But I'm always checking to avoid sour crop or impaction. Lethargy is also temporary and only right before/during the laying of a soft shell, if at all. So strange. Thanks again!!
