Not enough calcium?

[missmimz]

I have a 3 year old leghorn that's showing signs she might not be getting enough calcium. She's laying some incomplete/soft shelled eggs, and today she had a prolapsed vent. I feed good quality food (Scratch and Peck laying feed) and always have oyster shells available. I don't give a lot of treats. This started right after I switched everyone from growing feed to laying feed (same brand). This hen has had this laying feed before. Any idea what's causing this? Should I give her some tums to boost her calcium intake? She's been molting a little bit, too.

 

[barred2rock]

Isn't Scatch & Peck a whole grain feed? Are you offering grit?

 

[missmimz]

I don't because they free range in my backyard which has lots of rocks/sand/dirt so it didn't seem necessary.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

x2
Scatch and Peck, at least in my area, is not a complete feed.

Leghorns will be getting "older" and often past prime by 3 years of age, so it can be aging shell gland.

Soft shelled eggs are hard to lay, thus the prolapsed vent.

But I think a good chance is she is not getting enough nutrients from the Scratch and Peck feed.

Getting her shells in better condition will help her overall. I find good layer feed to help more than oyster shell or calcite grit. I suspicion she is also missing other base nutrients too.

I'd personally choose something like Purina or Nutrena Layer for a better feed.

My thoughts.
LofMc

 

[missmimz]

Not complete meaning what? What is it missing? The company says it's a complete feed. I've been feeding it for 3 years without issue. I don't like Purina at all. I chose S&P because I wanted a feed that wasn't full of weird ingredients.

 

[BirdHead]

I'd recommend bluebonnet farms game conditioner, or nature wise feather fixer, and just because they roam don't mean it's enough for them always supply a pile of grit and a pile (not too much) oyster shell in their coop.

 

[BirdHead]

Grain should be given only a few times a week max IMO

 

[missmimz]

I'm not really interested in changing feed. I'm happy with the quality and I haven't had any issues. I assume whatever is going on is either because she's getting older, or just a difference in the switch between grower and layer. I will get some grit though.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

It is the percentage of protein to calcium to lysine to other ingredients.

Simply removing "weird" stuff doesn't mean the feed is formulated with enough of the necessary body building nutrients.

While I understand your arguments against GMO foods and artificial ingredients, not all "organic" feed is formulated with the proper balance of nutrition.

I'm just suggesting you check your label to make sure the nutrients are in the range needed for the layers.

The Scratch and Peck feed in my area is not sufficient, but that doesn't mean the feed you can get in your area isn't. Just check the label.

LofMc

 

[BirdHead]

I'm not really interested in changing feed. I'm happy with the quality and I haven't had any issues. I assume whatever is going on is either because she's getting older, or just a difference in the switch between grower and layer. I will get some grit though.

How old is she? And I completely understand not wanting to change feeds, it's a thing. mine has went through four different brands and they all react different to them, like they'll devour my conditioner but look at the feather feed like it's not even there. Hell, they even prefer regular feed over my scratch grains which is awesome to me.

My last batch didn't like the reg feed as much as scratch funny and sorry for ranting!