Miscarriages and Feather Frosting

[urabus]

I have a couple RI/NH reds that have been laying for a couple months. Last week they started having miscarriages - eggs with no shells. What could be causing this? The other chickens are fine. Nothing has been changed on the food or pen conditions. Also, one of the red's feathers are frosted. Looks like a clear coat finish has been sprayed on. Any idea what this is?

 

[ChicKat]

First subject - frosted feathers, I haven't got any ideas.

Second subject shell-less eggs. I think that there can be a lot of causes for the chicken to loose the ability to create a good shell.

The same questions: Do they get enough calcium? Free choice oyster shell in a container is good, and crushing the shells of the eggs you use and feeding them back to your flock is good. My chooks prefer egg shells to oyster shells BTW. Apple Cider vinegar in their water (1TBSP per 1gallon of water) - helps the chicken's digestive system absorb nutrients -- including calcium, it has to do with the pH factor.

Vitamin D3 helps the hen with egg shell production too. I bought a bottle of tablets at WalMart and crushed up one. put it in with some feed and the contents of the shell-less egg (she was making membranes but no shell) - so vitamin D3, and more protein and good quality layer feed with the most calcium of the available feeds, They tended to gobble that down.

Old age, and other factors can interfere with shell production if you think your hens may be approaching the end of their laying period.

 

[J-Sanders]

A picture of this frosted condition would be of help. I have not heard of a condition so described.

Chickat did a really nice job of going over the nutrient requirements for eggshell issues.

Jim

 

[urabus]

I have a good picture but when I tried to attach, I got a message that said "You are not permitted to create attachments". How can I attach a picture to the post? Thanks.
As for the age of the chicks, they are about 26 weeks and have been laying regularly for about 2 months, so they are not old.

 

[mmktdox]

Can't help with the frosted feathers and the egg shell issue is already well answered. But I can help you with pictures! Instead of clicking on the paper clip to insert an attachment, click on "Insert Image" the picture image two icons to the left. That should work!

 

[urabus]

Thanks. Here's my frosted chicken. The "frost" has gone away but sometimes she is whiter than other times. She doesn't seem to be affected by it. When I rub the feathers, nothing comes off. It's the darndest thing.

 

[ChicKat]

I have a dust bath of DE for my birds......when they come out of it they are powdered white...including comb, wattles, feet etc. When they shake, a white powder fluffs off.. I doubt this would apply to your bird, but could she be passing through something that leaves a trace on her feathers or picking up cobwebs somewhere or similar?

Just hate those unsolved mysteries.........

 

[J-Sanders]

I wouldn't worry about the frosted feathers. It looks like general wear and tear. She may be rubbing on something in the coop or pen like the fencing or siding that is giving the effect you're seeing.

Jim

 

[urabus]

Regarding the apple cider vinegar, do you put it in the water daily or just once in a while? Doesn't that make the chickens thirsty? I've heard of using vinegar for deworming, but not for egg laying. Thanks.

 

[ChicKat]

Regarding the apple cider vinegar, do you put it in the water daily or just once in a while? Doesn't that make the chickens thirsty? I've heard of using vinegar for deworming, but not for egg laying. Thanks.

The vinegar is only to change the pH of the water. 1 Tbsp per gallon of H2O. Seems it would be more thirst quenching than thrst generating, IMO -- in the olden days vinegar was an additive to water for humans. I don't believe it will prevent or eliminate worms (it would be so nice if it was that easy). Vinegar helps change the pH -- the chicken's gut functions more effectivly in acid pH...one of the reasons they would rather drink rain water than tap water. Adding daily is a good idea for chicken health IMO. The need may depend upon the natural pH to start with of the drinking water you give them....our water here has a naturally high pH.