- Apr 9, 2009
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I had changed mine to the Grower Finisher feed trying to find a commercial feed that didn't have really high calcium, protein, and fat as most my hens were 2 and older and a few displaying reproductive problems (lost 2 golden comets last summer within 2 months of each other). I took the advice of a Chicken Rescue Group to do this and until now my Orpington hen is the only one that has shown any problems. I was afraid to do this as the Vet said they are bred to produce and the condition of the egg can depend on the feed they get. But then again I was trying to slow the older hens down from laying so much so they wouldn't have these reproductive problems. It's a fine line and the poor hens have to pay for it. I still give mine oyster shell, yogurt, occasional crushed hard boiled egg, and greens (lettuce,etc.). This hen has been the smaller, meeker of the flock, I could almost see it coming, she is almost 2 and a half years old. I'll look for this link that tells how you can make your own Calciboost, you can buy the Calcium Gluconate at the feed store (Southern States, Tractor Supply, etc.). I'm not saying this is the cure or a long term additive, but it's supposed to be a fix for an egg bound hen and it has sure saved my hen so far. She can at least walk again, she has not perched in a long time and still can't fly up in her coop (hens won't walk up the ramp because they are stubborn, started flying up into their coop) but her eggs are coming out, maybe not quite like they should yet.