I posted a while back about my ameracauna hen who had layed a couple of eggs that were covered in a whitish milky fluid filled membraine. Its been a couple of weeks, I have made oyster shell available at all times and I have also dusted all three girls for mites and lice...even though I didnt see any. MaeMae, the hen in question is missing feathers around her vent area...the other two girls look fluffy fat and laying fine! MaeMae was laying pretty well again until yesterday when she layed a comletley soft shelled egg. This is the third one in the two week period. She ALSO layed a normal egg yesterday, but oddly she is laying her eggs on the ground, which she has never done before. What else can I do besides oyster shell? If calcium is the problem, how long would it take unti the oyster shell took effect? Also.. inadequate calcium wouldnt cause feather loss around her vent would it? Thanks so much for your help.
I had a few hens do this on me, laying softshelled eggs even with oystershell available. I remedied the problem by mixing the oyster shell into their food, that way they were sure to eat it. That seemed to do the trick for my girls, after doing this for a while I stopped mixing the shell into their feed and just offered it free choice, haven't had an issue since. You can try saving egg shells from when you cook. I crushed them up and feed them back to the chickens, they really enjoy any part of their own eggs. Just makes sure to crush them up. Chickens seems to prefer their own egg shell over oyster shell. You could give it a try. Sometimes what I will do is boil up a batch of eggs, then just crush the whole egg up shell and all, and then feed it to the flock. What are you feeding your hens? -Kim
For what it's worth...I had a chicken lay an unshelled egg and an old farmer told me to feed them eggshell. Now I keep a coffee can on the cabinet and every time I use an egg, I rinse the shell and throw it in. When I bake something, I put the rinsed shells on a baking sheet (spray it first with cooking spray) and bake them until they are thoroughly dry. Put them in a ziploc or other plastic bag and roll them with a rolling pen until crumbled. I toss these shells like scratch grain and the chickens love them. I have never had the problem with any chickens since.
Quote:Feather issue - are you sure she's not molting? Feather plucking is generally associated with lack of protein....What are you feeding? Try a little apple cider vinegar (with the mother) in their water. And maybe a little garlic in their feed. Both are good for all kinds of reasons....
One of my young hens is doing the same. I was worried but then, as I have 8 hens and got 9 eggs, decided it might be that I am OVER feeding and the poor things are therefore, over producing. I have cut back on the layers pellets and increased the amount of greenstuff/moved them onto a new field and this seems to be working. I suspect I made a classic mistake of thinking feeding a lot was being kind when it just pushed the poor bird into over production. This might work for you?
All of my 5 chickens are doing it. I am going to try to put the oyster shell in their food because they don't seem to touch it. I tried changing their feed but we have a new chick and they are all interested in eating the chicks food right now. I did put the shell on the ground and in a bowl but they ignore it. I'll try the food.
What do you feed them instead of layers pellets? - I have a couple of old ladies and want to stop them from laying - Maud had to be put to sleep earlier in the week due to a prolapsed uterus, so I am looking to extend the happy retirement of my remaining two, by reducing their lay. Any suggestions?
All of my hens were laying soft eggs. I mixed the oyster shells in with their food. I tried putting it on the ground and it did not work. And I have my customers save me the egg shells. I from time to time crush them and scatter them on the ground. I have not had a soft egg for months but it took some time.
