New to laying hen. Soft shell egg and lash egg!

[TinaMarieofFL]

She seems to feel much batter but still a bit under the weather. Haven't had anymore lash eggs (or any other kind of real eggs either). I was using organic complete scratch as their regular feed and the feed store owner was telling me that if they arent eating the "dust" in it they're missing out on the most important part of it which might have contributed to her condition. He recommended a pellet and keeping scratch to 20% of their feed at most. She finally ate by herself when I gave her the pellet and actually filled her crop. I'm hopeful for her.

Glad to hear she's made improvement.
I had been feeding mine a mixture of 1/2 organic layer pellet and 1/2 organic scratch. I was reading that maybe Glorya wasn't getting enough pellet due to picking out the scratch. I have switched them to pellet mixed with grit and keep the scratch to a minimum at least for now. Glorya is the only having a problem though. I'm keeping her in again tonight. She has been eating and drinking water that I added B12 and coconut oil to. Her crop is full but then again, that could be a problem. Sour crop or impacted crop. I will check it in the morning and if it is full, I am planning on trying to get her to regurgitate.
I ordered the antibiotic so it will be a few days before I can start that sort of treatment. Hoping she can hang on. She seems a little better with eating and drinking. Also standing instead of huddling in the corner.
Never expected to get so attached.

 

[Stephh0701]

Yah I was told the organic scratch was a healthier alternative but apparently not if they're picking out the "treat" part and leaving the "nutrition" part. None of my others were laying up until 2 days ago (and it's only one other now) so idk if they've been affected but I guess time will tell. Either way they've been switched over so hopefully I've helped the situation a bit at least. Sophie has taken against eating again until I made a mash of her pellets and then she chewed down again. Her crop is empty in the morning so I don't think shes impacted or sour... so that a plus. Hoping yours isn't as well!
Its rough when you become so attached without the intention of ever doing so. They really do tug at your heart strings though don't they?!

 

[TinaMarieofFL]

checked Glorya this morning, her crop is smaller but quite firm. She is pooping but it is a little loose but of the right color, so I know some food is making its way through. I will try to get her to take some oil via syringe and massage her crop.
I really want her to recover...named her after my mother in law who passed last year, (named her before MIL passed) so I'd hate to lose her, too. Have a girl I named Beth, after Beth Chapman (as in Dog the Bounty Hunter) who passed recently.

 

[Eggcessive]

Scratch does not have enough protein (7-8%) or balanced nutrients to be fed to chickens exceot as an occasional treat. No more than 10% of their diet should be scratch.

 

[Stephh0701]

Eggcessive It was "complete scratch" according to the feed store I got it from. It had the added oyster and protein. The issue was they were leaving that part (which was very powdery) and just eating the grains. So it wasn't as "healthy" as the store had implied.

 

[TinaMarieofFL]

I checked Gloria this morning. Her crop has gone down but still has a has a ping pong ball size clump. I don't foresee myself cutting into her as my chicken health book instructs to do. I am at a loss.

 

[TinaMarieofFL]

Glorya's crop is much smaller! Seems this nutty girl has been eating things she isn't supposed to. Noticed her poop was rather weirdo looking, large, dry...so I dissected it and found what appears to be pieces of the pool noodle I use to cover their perches with! OMG. Needless to say, the pool noodles have been removed. she is clearly feeling better cause she struggled when I went to pick her up. Previously, she was very docile, even limp. That God. And thanks to all for your advice. PS. My antibiotics arrived today. Very quick service from Jedds.

 

[Stephh0701]

Poor Glorya! At least you've figured it out. Sophie is much much better, but still not laying... although I'm not sure that's entirely true either. We left for 2 days and when we came back there were 3 eggs. 2 normal sized and colored and 1 very nearly white small egg. About half the size of the normal first eggs. Idk why but I feel like that must have been sophie. Maybe because it was the only one and it was nearly a week ago. I finally have 3 chickens laying but only one lays in the nesting box. 1 sneakes out any way she can and lays in this really obscure inconvenient space behind our shed and cracks her egg nearly every time on the cement unfortunately and the other lays while on the roosting bar.. which also cracks her egg... very upsetting to not be getting more than 1 egg even though we should be getting about 3. But I'm sure we can work it out with practice.... at least I hope.

 

[TinaMarieofFL]

Poor Glorya! At least you've figured it out. Sophie is much much better, but still not laying... although I'm not sure that's entirely true either. We left for 2 days and when we came back there were 3 eggs. 2 normal sized and colored and 1 very nearly white small egg. About half the size of the normal first eggs. Idk why but I feel like that must have been sophie. Maybe because it was the only one and it was nearly a week ago. I finally have 3 chickens laying but only one lays in the nesting box. 1 sneakes out any way she can and lays in this really obscure inconvenient space behind our shed and cracks her egg nearly every time on the cement unfortunately and the other lays while on the roosting bar.. which also cracks her egg... very upsetting to not be getting more than 1 egg even though we should be getting about 3. But I'm sure we can work it out with practice.... at least I hope.

Glad Sophie is nearly normal again. Maybe if you keep them in the coop/run until they get the hang of the laying boxes. I kept mine in the coop/run for a couple of weeks before I let them out. Mainly because I was afraid something would get them and also I didn't know how I was going to round the up come dark. Well, nothing has gotten then thus far (thank God) and they routinely put themselves before dark. I go out and turn on their light (seems to keep rats away-another issue I was having) and close the pen. I don't know is Glorya is laying or not (doubtful) as I rarely get 5 eggs a day. Usual is three to four, sometimes only two and occasionally zero.
Your girls are still young, they'll work it out.

 

[TinaMarieofFL]

I'm going to order some too to keep on hand.
My Glorya passed a tiny shell-less, yolk-less egg overnight. I have a pic but darned if I can get it to upload.
She still seems under the weather, though.
I hope the meds work for Sophie.

Finally got the weird little egg pic to post.