MJ's little flock

[RoyalChick]

I don't know how to get calcium in her without causing further pain, and nor do I have any to hand. I think she'll be ok overnight and will be treated properly tomorrow.

There are a couple of BYC folk who really know their stuff and from them I learned to keep calcium citrate tablets in stock. Readily available as a human health supplement.
Some like Kris use Tums which are also for people for heartburn and are calcium carbonate. Those are fine but the citrate version gets absorbed faster and when a hen is egg bound that means she can use the calcium quicker.
In terms of giving them the pill I was surprised how easy it is. Just pull on their wattles so they open their beak and pop it in their mouth!
I know you are seeing the vet really soon but I wrote this so you have this info on hand.

 

[MaryJanet]

There are a couple of BYC folk who really know their stuff and from them I learned to keep calcium citrate tablets in stock. Readily available as a human health supplement.
Some like Kris use Tums which are also for people for heartburn and are calcium carbonate. Those are fine but the citrate version gets absorbed faster and when a hen is egg bound that means she can use the calcium quicker.
In terms of giving them the pill I was surprised how easy it is. Just pull on their wattles so they open their beak and pop it in their mouth!
I know you are seeing the vet really soon but I wrote this so you have this info on hand.

Thank you, I'm grateful and I'll get some calcium citrate tablets. It seems likely I'll be needing them.

Is it one tablet a day? What dosage tablets?

 

[RoyalChick]

I just don't know how RC. Nor do I have any.

Mark will fix her tomorrow. I think she'll be ok overnight.

I'm extremely angry that some hens have been deliberately bred to go through such painful laying.

Yes. You may not remember when I went through my own learning on this. I was upset and raging for months.
It is really just so awful.

 

[MaryJanet]

Yes. You may not remember when I went through my own learning on this. I was upset and raging for months.
It is really just so awful.

I recall. But today I'm utterly enraged.

 

[RoyalChick]

Thank you, I'm grateful and I'll get some calcium citrate tablets. It seems likely I'll be needing them.

Is it one tablet a day? What dosage tablets?

I think they only come in one dose. I will look when I get up I remember 600 something.
The dose seemed to be 3-4 of them. Even my most compliant hen got bored after two. Most I ever managed was three. But you can repeat it. They poo most of it out anyway!
I was giving calcium for soft shells not egg binding so I had to try it every day. It didn’t help Diana who I think has an issue with her shell gland.

 

[RoyalChick]

I recall. But today I'm utterly enraged.

When I buy eggs from the farms near me I ask them about what breed of chicken they have. I have found some who raise dual purpose hens and those are the eggs I buy.

 

[ManueB]

If you have crushed eggshells / oyster shells make sure she has an easy access to it.
Four of my ex-batts have been eggbound regularly or every now and then, and only two binged on eggshells when it happened. I never could find any pills or tabs of human calcium citrate such as advised on BYC, I have a liquid supplement which I put in the whole flock's water when one is eggbound. Not the best, but I tell myself too much calcium one day won't kill them.
As long as she can poop, she can probably wait another day.

Edit : sorry, I replied without reading what followed! SHRA!

 

[rjohns39]

Good evening folks

 

[MaryJanet]

Well, this was on the floor when I let the river chickens out. It doesn't need a spoiler.

And now I'm worried about broken shell inside her.

I'll definitely still take her to her appointment.

On the other hand, Lorna is brighter this morning. I'm not imagining it. She's chatting again, and was first one down off the roost.

 

[LozzyR]

Well, this was on the floor when I let the river chickens out. It doesn't need a spoiler.

View attachment 3350635

And now I'm worried about broken shell inside her.

I'll definitely still take her to her appointment.

On the other hand, Lorna is brighter this morning. I'm not imagining it. She's chatting again, and was first one down off the roost.

What time is Christa’s appointment? I hope Dr Mark can fix her.