Newbie To BYC Hi Everyone........

[gazer]

Hi i am a newbie to hens i was just wondering what is a good diet . I currently give my hens layed pellets and a handfull of split corn daily. I ensure the pellet feeder is stocked at all times throwing the left over after 2 days then refill i give treats of bread every other day and veg ...i am now finding one of my chickens eggs are breaking in coop shell is like paper ..but only affecting one hen. the other 2 lay nice big brown egg cup fillers. any help on feeding would be a massive help . Thanks in advance.

 

[Angiebubs]

Hi Gazer! Welcome to BYC! Do you also offer oyster shell freely? This is important to have available for hens as it is needed to ensure eggshells are thick.

 

[snowflake]

Hi i am a newbie to hens i was just wondering what is a good diet . I currently give my hens layed pellets and a handfull of split corn daily. I ensure the pellet feeder is stocked at all times throwing the left over after 2 days then refill i give treats of bread every other day and veg ...i am now finding one of my chickens eggs are breaking in coop shell is like paper ..but only affecting one hen. the other 2 lay nice big brown egg cup fillers. any help on feeding would be a massive help . Thanks in advance.

why are you throwing your pellets away after 2 days? unless it is getting wet or dirty it should be OK, do you have oyster shell or some added type of calcium out for them to eat if they need it? you could check for parasites? how old is your hen, some times age is a factor
I have some that are laying soft shells, they are older hens 5yrs. last yr I started getting the soft shell, you might also add some vitamins to the water, she could have a deficiency of some sort?

 

[gazer]

Cheers for Reply hens are 9 month into laying i am picking some oyster shell up tomorrow Do i scatter this or mix with pellets ?

 

[Angiebubs]

you should leave out in a seperate container available at all times