New to Chicken Raising - Feeding Question

[AbaHens]

Hi, yes she JUST started laying.. she laid a couple eggs with a soft shell, and then a couple eggs with NO shell ... she also laid a huge egg with 2 yolks. I love seeing her little gifts (eggs) in the nest... so cute. I do not eat them though.. still getting used to the idea of eating them. Also I'm not 100% sure if they are safe to eat since I've never dewormed her. However, I do use them to feed my dog. I usually chop up some left over meat and add the egg. My dog loves it!

Welcome to BYC! That feed, plus a side dish of oyster shell is perfect. You can give scratch as a treat, but 95% of her feed should be a lay pellet or lay crumble. Is she laying yet?

Mealworms everyday are fine, just not too many.

 

[casportpony]

Get her some oyster shell and hopefully that will help her lay proper eggs. You can eat eggs even if they have worms, so don't worry. Can you take some poop to a vet and have them checkit for worms?

 

[AbaHens]

Really!? it's safe to eat her eggs even if she were to have worms? Yikes, I don't think I'd want to hehe. And yes, that's exactly what I wanted to do, take her poo to the vet to have it checked BUT the receptionist told me I HAD to take the chicken too :/

I don't want poo all over my car so I'd have to buy a crate to transport her AND I don't think she'd be too happy to go. I think the receptionist just wants me to take the chicken so they can charge me a visit fee.. :S but yes, definitely getting her poo checked out soon... somehow.

Get her some oyster shell and hopefully that will help her lay proper eggs. You can eat eggs even if they have worms, so don't worry. Can you take some poop to a vet and have them checkit for worms?

 

[casportpony]

They could test her poop without seeing her, but they couldn't tell you what wormer to use if they did find worms, so if can afford it, take her in.

 

[AbaHens]

One more question guys! If my chicken turns out clear of any parasites, should I still treat her for them as a preventative measure?

 

[rjohns39]

General guideline for treats is not to exceed 10% of total diet. Her current feed is about 16% protein and contains about 3-5% vitamins. Feeding too many treats dilutes those percentages. Yes you want to offer Oyster shell free choice as well as grit. Grit is typically made from granite or quarts. Small sharp rocks that she'll use in her gizzard to grind up her feed. Make sure you get chicken, not chick grit for her. Most manufacturers of grit sell up to six sizes, but most feed stores only stock two.

Think of scratch as candy and meal worms as beef jerky.

If the float test is negative, I wouldn't treat—but will defer to @casportpony 's advice here.