lady next door asked me a question i didnt have an answer to

[augiedranch]

first of all, she has mostly mutt chickens. and i got a banty from her a couple of weeks ago (just a mutt, but i wanted one that would want to sit) well, it had really really bad scaly leg mites. and i didnt want any of mine to get it so i took her back. all of hers are also really wormy. gross!


anywase, one of her hens keeps laying an egg without a shell.
whats this mean? so i can tell her, so she will stop asking me. i told her it prob wasnt getting fed good enough. and that just got her mad at me...

thanks for any help

 

[asher]

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publi...ndbook/16/thinshelled-eggs-and-shellless-eggs

 

[LinckHillPoultry]

It means that she does not supply them with enough calcium. Tell her she might want to invest in some oyster shell.

 

[AngelzFyre]

She needs oyster shell provided at all times for her laying hens( as soon as she started feeding the layer crumbles/pellets).If they've been laying awhile, I'd bet that was the problem of not enough oyster. If it's a new layer then she may not do it but the one time.
I'd ask what she's feeding feed wise, what supplements she's giving and tell her what you use/what the hens need to produce great eggs. Show her the oyster shell etc. I've noticed around here, most don't know about the oyster and think the grit is the same thing.
Wouldn't hurt for her to add some DE to her coop/runs as well for the mites!
I'm sure she doesn't deliberately not feed hers as well or not use oyster shell, she just may not know they need it.
Maybe suggest Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens or get her a copy as a "peace" offering.

 

[augiedranch]

thank you. those are helpful comments.. she wont buy anything for those chickens.. so.. i might have to..

i buy chicken feed for 12-13 dollars, depending on chick starter or laying mash. she tells me she gets feed for around 7 bucks. thats not possible around here.. so i know shes not getting feed. and thinks its only seven bucks...


ill prob through some oyster shells over the fence.. thanks