- Feb 4, 2013
- 6
- 0
- 7
We have 12 Road Island Red one year old hens. and 2 Barred Plymouth Rock hens. One of the Barred Rocks lay a very large, very thin shelled whitish egg. All the other eggs are moderate in size for young RIR hens, very steady producers 1.5 eggs per day. Only a slight slow down this winter.
In the past we have found one large white egg with a chip but unbroken. Now twice we have found a dampish box with everything gone. no egg, no shell, no yolk, nothing.
1. How can we help this hen (which ever one it is of the Barred Rocks) to lay harder eggs.!!
Everyone else is laying very nice eggs. consistent size and very hard shell. They receive lots of fresh greens daily, layena, scratch, oyster shell, and some smaller grit. They are all eating very well, altho they seem bony when you pick them up. (just young?) Could they need more protein than in the layena and thus are eating an egg occasionally? They are pretty much vegetarian chickens, not caged but restricted this winter. Would they benefit from cat food crumbles,,,higher protein. ????
2. We were told we would have to find the culprit Hen (RIR or Barred Rock) and kill her!!!
Eeeek. Are there other options. These girls are pets.
3. Is it possible we don't have enough laying boxes. we have 4 and they frequently just use the 2 or 3 favorite boxes. Altho no different that we can see.
If anyone has any suggestions, I would appreciate it.
In the past we have found one large white egg with a chip but unbroken. Now twice we have found a dampish box with everything gone. no egg, no shell, no yolk, nothing.
1. How can we help this hen (which ever one it is of the Barred Rocks) to lay harder eggs.!!
Everyone else is laying very nice eggs. consistent size and very hard shell. They receive lots of fresh greens daily, layena, scratch, oyster shell, and some smaller grit. They are all eating very well, altho they seem bony when you pick them up. (just young?) Could they need more protein than in the layena and thus are eating an egg occasionally? They are pretty much vegetarian chickens, not caged but restricted this winter. Would they benefit from cat food crumbles,,,higher protein. ????
2. We were told we would have to find the culprit Hen (RIR or Barred Rock) and kill her!!!
Eeeek. Are there other options. These girls are pets.
3. Is it possible we don't have enough laying boxes. we have 4 and they frequently just use the 2 or 3 favorite boxes. Altho no different that we can see.
If anyone has any suggestions, I would appreciate it.