new flock - soft shells, not using nest boxes

Heather DB

In the Brooder
Oct 25, 2017
7
6
16
Hi - I live in BC, Canada at 3,600'. The owner of my property just set me up with his old flock - 100 Rhode Island Reds laying hens approx 18 months old. He also supplied new metal/plastic nesting boxes so I can collect from back. The hens came yesterday. They laid everywhere (except the boxes)- I have 6 dozen eggs in the fridge but at least 2 dozen others were soft,soft shell. Many of the harder shells had an extra layer of calcium(?)/white - so I have dark brown eggs mottled with white. He brought me laying pellets, but thats all. Should I be supplementing these hens? Will the white disappear, and the shells harden when they're not stressed? Is the white caused by laying on the ground? How can I get them to use the nest boxes? Any advice will be so welcome - thanks...
 
Wow, that is a lot of hens. First of all I would put vitamins in the chickens water for now and give them oyster shell either in their layer feed or on the ground where they feed. Everything is new for them so they don't really know yet what to do or where! When they have more time (when you gotta lay, you gotta lay) they will find and examine the boxes and most likely start to use them. The extra calcium on the eggs is probably from being stressed and will go away the more relaxed the girls become. Give them time and they will settle in for you! For now hold the treats and make sure they are getting good nutrition from their layer feed. You can give them treats once you are sure of their health and they are more settled. Good Luck, and welcome to BYC!

:welcome
 
thanks for the advice - the previous owner is bringing me a bag of oyster shell - and the eggs are looking much better- I'm more relaxed - I just panicked when I saw so many eggs with soft shells - they are starting to use the boxes too - they've actually settled in quite quickly....
 
thanks for the advice - the previous owner is bringing me a bag of oyster shell - and the eggs are looking much better- I'm more relaxed -I just panicked when I saw so many eggs with soft shells - they are starting to use the boxes too - they've actually settled in quite quickly....
Good to hear the hens are relaxing and getting settled in their new digs. Are you going to sell your eggs? Good luck! :celebrate
 
Moving hens stresses them out. Often they quit laying for a bit. I find that a higher protein feed = not layer feed - yields better health and egg results. Layer feed adds more calcium but you can serve oyster shell on the side and that will satisfy the need. Layer feed is way too low in protein. Usually 15-16%. 18+ will make for healthier hens. So keep the treats to minimum and opt for things like kale and tuna that have high protein if you feel the need to treat them.
 
In my opinion there is a high likely hood that you free flock of hens is suffering from the lingering effects of Infectious Bronchitis. If this is true then things in the soft shelled and mottled egg department are never likely to improve. Do what the 2nd through 5th poster recommended and hope for the best but be reconciled for the worst.

Many greens have the undesirable effect of impeding calcium absorption in laying hens which is counter to what your hens seem to need.
 
Last edited:
Well thank you all for the replies. The flock seems to be doing much better, only a few soft shells, using the boxes and not appearing ill. I'm getting a routine and more relaxed too. Yes I am selling eggs. I am in partnership with the land owners - and they will take any I can't sell as they have a large customer base.Previously I was getting eggs from them and setting up a customer base here. This was their "old" flock of 18month olds....
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom