Lost hen to huge egg?

[Naverretia]

So, we checked the coop yesterday and found an absolutely massive egg. We had two guinea hens, one that was a little over a year old. The egg didn't have a strange shape, it was just easily over twice the size of the others. The next morning we had a dead guinea hen, so I am guessing that may have been the cause. Has anyone experienced this with guineas and is there any way to prevent it? I am a little worried they may not be getting enough protein, we are limited here in the type of feed we can buy so I was considering supplementing with eggs. I have been giving mashed boiled eggs to the keets and they adore it. I am just not sure the best amount to give or how they should be prepared.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

So, we checked the coop yesterday and found an absolutely massive egg. We had two guinea hens, one that was a little over a year old. The egg didn't have a strange shape, it was just easily over twice the size of the others. The next morning we had a dead guinea hen, so I am guessing that may have been the cause. Has anyone experienced this with guineas and is there any way to prevent it? I am a little worried they may not be getting enough protein, we are limited here in the type of feed we can buy so I was considering supplementing with eggs. I have been giving mashed boiled eggs to the keets and they adore it. I am just not sure the best amount to give or how they should be prepared.

Wow, I’m sorry to hear that! What kind of feed are you giving them? Do they free range? Have free choice oyster shell?

 

[Naverretia]

The only feed here for poultry is a powdered mix that is around 15% protein. They seem to like it and look healthy. Unfortunately they haven't been allowed to free range since they "supposedly" killed our neighbours chickens. We are building a new coop that will be next to our horses, so I'm hoping they will get more bugs that way... But it is a couple months out.

 

[R2elk]

The only feed here for poultry is a powdered mix that is around 15% protein. They seem to like it and look healthy. Unfortunately they haven't been allowed to free range since they "supposedly" killed our neighbours chickens. We are building a new coop that will be next to our horses, so I'm hoping they will get more bugs that way... But it is a couple months out.

With laying hens I would be more concerned about sufficient calcium than with protein. Laying hens should have a feed with about 4% calcium or at least have access to free choice oyster shell.

 

[Sydney65]

With laying hens I would be more concerned about sufficient calcium than with protein. Laying hens should have a feed with about 4% calcium or at least have access to free choice oyster shell.

I was just reading an article abt deficiencies that mentioned a required balance between calcium and phosphorus - ("usually 3.5 - 4.0% calcium, 0.35-0.40% phosphorus") for good shell and bone formation, & immune response to e-coli. I don't think we've ever discussed that..but then, I forget a lot more than I care to admit.

 

[Naverretia]

With laying hens I would be more concerned about sufficient calcium than with protein. Laying hens should have a feed with about 4% calcium or at least have access to free choice oyster shell.

Ahhh okay thank you, that helps a lot!

 

[R2elk]

I was just reading an article abt deficiencies that mentioned a required balance between calcium and phosphorus - ("usually 3.5 - 4.0% calcium, 0.35-0.40% phosphorus") for good shell and bone formation, & immune response to e-coli. I don't think we've ever discussed that..but then, I forget a lot more than I care to admit.

You are correct. We have not talked about phosphorus. If a person is using quality bought feeds, the ratios will be correct and you will not have to worry about it.

People who think they can make their own feeds need to research all of this. People who feed excessive amounts of treats can also have problems.

 

[Naverretia]

I just double checked again because I didn't notice the phosphorus before, but hopefully this helps. I'm in a very remote location with very few choices in feeds that seem mostly targeted towards chickens. It looks like it has 2.5% calcium and 10.5% protein.

 

[R2elk]

I just double checked again because I didn't notice the phosphorus before, but hopefully this helps. I'm in a very remote location with very few choices in feeds that seem mostly targeted towards chickens. It looks like it has 2.5% calcium and 10.5% protein.View attachment 2825612

Laying hens need more calcium. Supplement it with free choice oyster shell.

Those protein levels aren't even good enough for chickens. Some people supplement low protein feeds with cat food.

 

[Naverretia]

That's what I was afraid of. When they were free range it didn't seem so bad but now I think I need to add to it.