Peculiar Eggs

[Littlemrse]

My gorgeous 2 year old hen Fleur (who has been a regular almost daily layer) has been having a little time off from laying over the summer, I presumed a molt was due, it was too hot, etc. Lots of vitamins and TLC were given to get her mojo back!

Recently however I have noticed very pale, white pieces of shell in random areas of the garden. No actual ‘egg’ just terribly thin white shell. Yesterday however she layed an egg, a big egg, with a wobbly, pitted shell, but good. Today she has layed again, a peculiar egg, the thinnest of shells with a wet tail piece. How can I help Fleur? What is she missing from her diet? Any advice welcome

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Is she getting enough calcium? You can give her crumbled up caltrate for a couple of days and be sure to have access to oyster shells. Good luck!

 

[Littlemrse]

Thank you! Fleur does not appear to visit the grit tray as often as the other two hens. I shall visit the pet warehouse today so will see what they have to offer. Thanks again

 

[Trish1974]

Fleur does not appear to visit the grit tray as often as the other two hens.

Do you offer both grit and oyster shell? Grit aids in digestion to break up food and oyster shell is for eggshell integrity.

 

[aart]

What is her breed?

What all and how exactly are you feeding?
Tho if only one bird in a flock is having laying problems,
it's not likely the diet but the bird that has problems.

This could be a slowing/stopping of production in prior to molt.
But given earlier in the season issues mentioned,
she may just be a 'lemon'.

Welcome to BYC!...sorry you are having troubles.
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!

 

[Littlemrse]

Do you offer both grit and oyster shell? Grit aids in digestion to break up food and oyster shell is for eggshell integrity.

Yes, I buy a mix. I shall make sure there is extra shell though. Thank you

 

[Littlemrse]

Do you offer both grit and oyster shell? Grit aids in digestion to break up food and oyster shell is for eggshell integrity.

What is her breed?

What all and how exactly are you feeding?
Tho if only one bird in a flock is having laying problems,
it's not likely the diet but the bird that has problems.

This could be a slowing/stopping of production in prior to molt.
But given earlier in the season issues mentioned,
she may just be a 'lemon'.

Welcome to BYC!...sorry you are having troubles.
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!
View attachment 1514114

My hens are, I believe, Amberlinks. They were hatched at my school as a project and myself and other members of staff decided to keep them as back garden pets. The past two years have been amazing raising my three little ladies. Feed has always been the same ‘layers pellets’ from my local warehouse. Mix grit and shell bag is the same. Other food treats daily include mealworms, sunflower hearts and some fruit/veg (grapes, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, pomegranate, sweet corn- not all each day, just a selection of two!) I am fortunate to have a large garden, so my girls free range all day.
Fleur has always been our daily layer, where the other two have had time off for molts or whatever. Initially, I thought she needed a break too, but concerned that she is now trying to lay but the shell quality is not good, and is this a sign of anything else that I can support her with?
What is a ‘lemon’ as you quoted?
I live in Yorkshire, England. We did have a heatwave earlier in the summer! (Distant memory now!)

 

[Aapomp831]

My hens are, I believe, Amberlinks. They were hatched at my school as a project and myself and other members of staff decided to keep them as back garden pets. The past two years have been amazing raising my three little ladies. Feed has always been the same ‘layers pellets’ from my local warehouse. Mix grit and shell bag is the same. Other food treats daily include mealworms, sunflower hearts and some fruit/veg (grapes, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, pomegranate, sweet corn- not all each day, just a selection of two!) I am fortunate to have a large garden, so my girls free range all day.
Fleur has always been our daily layer, where the other two have had time off for molts or whatever. Initially, I thought she needed a break too, but concerned that she is now trying to lay but the shell quality is not good, and is this a sign of anything else that I can support her with?
What is a ‘lemon’ as you quoted?
I live in Yorkshire, England. We did have a heatwave earlier in the summer! (Distant memory now!)

I save all my eggshells, and when I make them a mash at night with our leftover salad stuff/trimmings, I add the egg shells right into the food processor with the veggies and make them a chunky/pasty calcium filled dinner. Sometimes I even add a tablespoon of ACV or a sprinkle of electrolytes. They love it, and since the eggshells are crushed so small they don’t even realize they are eating them.

 

[Littlemrse]

I save all my eggshells, and when I make them a mash at night with our leftover salad stuff/trimmings, I add the egg shells right into the food processor with the veggies and make them a chunky/pasty calcium filled dinner. Sometimes I even add a tablespoon of ACV or a sprinkle of electrolytes. They love it, and since the eggshells are crushed so small they don’t even realize they are eating them.

Such a great idea! I found my girls didn’t like eating the mashed shell, however if I sprinkle it on the soil in my empty veggie ‘coffins’ (never been successful in growing much produce since having the hens!), they are happy to spend their days scratting around and eating/pinching the crushed shells. I may try and add to treats like you suggest though. I add ‘poultry spice’ to their mealworms in a morning, I have just checked, that also contains calcium.

 

[aart]

What is a ‘lemon’ as you quoted?

Slang for a defective product, most often applied to automobiles...and might have been coined in the auto industry.

Digestive granite grit should be offered separately from oyster shells.
I mixed dried and crushed egg shells into oyster shells.

Amberlinks are high production hybrids and often do not live long as they are susceptible to reproductive issues due to that the high production is hard on their bodies. They basically can 'wear out'. Heat can have an affect too, but think your girl may be pst her prime and/or she is getting ready to molt.

How old is she, in months?