Kayla’s Flock!

[rjohns39]

Just put it in a dish and hopefully the girl will eat it. It's an easily absorbed calcium.

 

[WhoDatChick]

Just put it in a dish and hopefully the girl will eat it. It's an easily absorbed calcium.

Ooooohhhh, okay... do you put it out for all of them or just the one separate? And can too much be harmful? Also, would you or anyone else happen to know about some kind of pads to put in the bottom of the nest boxes?? Someone on here mentioned them but I can’t remember where.... thank you!

 

[rjohns39]

I try to feed it directly to the hen with the issue. Soft shells are most commonly associated with a calcium deficiency. Oyster shell or egg shells should solve it, but sometimes an easier to absorb source works. Sometimes the issue is the bird is not getting the correct vitamins and amino acids to help absorption other's their egg factory is still working out the kinks.

As for pads, just do a google search on nest box pads. There are dozens of varieties out there, but to be perfectly honest. I've found they prefer a couple hand fulls of straw. I have roll out nest boxes with artificial turf in them and have a hard time getting them to use them. But if I put a cat carrier out there with a couple hand fulls of straw, boom that's the nest box of choice. I had a feed bag I had stuffed with straw to carry out to the barn and left it on top of an empty shelter there... Went to get straw one day and found several dozen eggs in it.

 

[WhoDatChick]

I try to feed it directly to the hen with the issue. Soft shells are most commonly associated with a calcium deficiency. Oyster shell or egg shells should solve it, but sometimes an easier to absorb source works. Sometimes the issue is the bird is not getting the correct vitamins and amino acids to help absorption other's their egg factory is still working out the kinks.

As for pads, just do a google search on nest box pads. There are dozens of varieties out there, but to be perfectly honest. I've found they prefer a couple hand fulls of straw. I have roll out nest boxes with artificial turf in them and have a hard time getting them to use them. But if I put a cat carrier out there with a couple hand fulls of straw, boom that's the nest box of choice. I had a feed bag I had stuffed with straw to carry out to the barn and left it on top of an empty shelter there... Went to get straw one day and found several dozen eggs in it.

Oh, too funny! I put LOTS of pine shavings but they kick them out of the way... today I was out there and was waiting for Maryn to lay and then I heard it drop and cracked! I think it’s when they are cracked is when they eat them cuz I still get whole eggs daily. If what I am trying right now works I’ll take a pic and show it cuz it’s gonna be kinda hard to explain. Thank you! ......oh, I also give oyster shells... so I don’t know why one lays soft??

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

I'm proud to say in my many years of chickens I've never dealt with egg eating. but as soon as there's a broken egg, I throw it on the ground and BOOM they go crazy.

Good to know tho, about the oyster shells- never heard of for egg eaters.

Reminds of lobsters which brings me to the question of.... Have your chickens had lobster before? Not sure if it's a New England thing, but after finishing lobstah we give the shells to the hens and they go crazy picking out the leftovers. I know last month lobsters were wicked cheap for $5 at a New England chain grocery store so the hens were super lucky. Not sure on health benefits, or if they are even okay for hens to eat (I assume...), but they enjoy them.

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

I know last month lobsters were wicked cheap for $5 at a New England chain grocery store so the hens were super lucky.

I only realized how stereotypical New Englander that sounds after I posted it xD.

 

[casportpony]

do you have any photos? I’d love to see!!

Let me see what I can find.

 

[WhoDatChick]

I'm proud to say in my many years of chickens I've never dealt with egg eating. but as soon as there's a broken egg, I throw it on the ground and BOOM they go crazy.

Good to know tho, about the oyster shells- never heard of for egg eaters.

Reminds of lobsters which brings me to the question of.... Have your chickens had lobster before? Not sure if it's a New England thing, but after finishing lobstah we give the shells to the hens and they go crazy picking out the leftovers. I know last month lobsters were wicked cheap for $5 at a New England chain grocery store so the hens were super lucky. Not sure on health benefits, or if they are even okay for hens to eat (I assume...), but they enjoy them.

No lobster but they will eat our crawfish shells! You know, the “Cajun mud bugs” ? I haven’t given any to my gals yet... they were too young during crawfish season...

 

[rjohns39]

Wont' hurt them and any left over meat is full of protein and vitamins. But in moderation as too much "seafood" can taint the flavor of your eggs. So treat it like any other treat. No more than 10% of total diet for treats. Fish and crab meal are common ingredients in chicken feeds.

 

[HuffleClaw]

I’m here!!
I think I’ve said this enough but I can’t wait for my chicks coming in spring!

Very cute flock!

Pretty pix Kayla... When you figure out which girl is giving you the soft shells a crushed tums should help.

Really cute! Love Cowboy!!

Thank you all sooo much! (I couldn’t get good pictures of Kyser & Jake, they were very hyper)