Did you provide them oyster shells...and were they eating them?
New pullets had to be coerced into using the shells, by sprinkling just a few on the surface of the feed a couple times, after that no problems.
Yes, I provided oyster shells all the time. And yes they were eating them. But over the course of about 10 days, I transitioned the big hens from layer to chick starter and I guess their systems just never adjusted to telling them to eat MORE oyster shells.
I felt AWFUL losing my sweet little Blue Andalusian. She had the saddest eyes and looked so miserable. We put her down and a necropsy found the egg stuck in her.
I can keep the babies separate till they lay. But I've got Buff Orpingtons which will likely lay around 5-6 months. And then I have 2 Cochins which I've read won't lay till more like 8 months and I hate to keep them separated all that time. I'm wondering if it's safe to transition them to layer at 6 months even though they might not be laying yet.