Question about eggs

[PattiS72]

I started feeding egg layer when we figured they should start laying---they were about 6-7 months old. By the time they started laying, they were probably on their 6th or 7th bag (40 pound bags). I buy 40 pounds every week. I will check into the crushed oyster shells. WOuld it be the same if we crushed the oyster shells we have from my husband's bushel?

 

[Honey B]

Here is an interesting article on egg shells vs oyster shells. http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/eggshell-versus-oyster-shell-strong-eggshells/

@RonP what you are saying makes sense but I didn't find much when I googled it. I am probably not searching for the right terms. If you have easy access to some studies would you mind posting them? Thanks!

 

[RonP]

what you are saying makes sense but I didn't find much when I googled it. I am probably not searching for the right terms. If you have easy access to some studies would you mind posting them? Thanks!

Click here for my source.

Hope this helps.

 

[farmgirl200]

Yeah sometimes it just happens out of no where but don't worry- it'll probably get better!

 

[Honey B]

Click here for my source.

Hope this helps.

Thanks!

 

[Judy]

I started feeding egg layer when we figured they should start laying---they were about 6-7 months old. By the time they started laying, they were probably on their 6th or 7th bag (40 pound bags). I buy 40 pounds every week. I will check into the crushed oyster shells. WOuld it be the same if we crushed the oyster shells we have from my husband's bushel?

I don't think I'd do this. For one thing, they will have salt on them which is definitely not good for chickens. I think they steam or otherwise treat the bagged oyster shells sold for chickens, and of course the are in the right size pieces. Last time I bought a bag of oyster shells was maybe 3 years ago and it cost maybe $6 for about a quart or so. They stilll haven't eaten them all,

 

[PattiS72]

I don't think I'd do this. For one thing, they will have salt on them which is definitely not good for chickens. I think they steam or otherwise treat the bagged oyster shells sold for chickens, and of course the are in the right size pieces. Last time I bought a bag of oyster shells was maybe 3 years ago and it cost maybe $6 for about a quart or so. They stilll haven't eaten them all,

Okay, thank you Judy. I'll look for it next time I'm out. How often should I give it, when I can get it?

 

[ChickwChicks]

Hello All,

In October I was given a free coop and two hens. I was told they were 18months and molting so we could expect eggs after molt/winter! I have a RIR and a Partridge Plymouth Rock. Both birds appear in excellent health, and have BRIGHT red combs and wattles.

The Plymouth Rock squats and assumes "position" everytime I come near her, her vent appears "moist" fairly pink and she seems to be eating copious amounts of oyster shells- pooping it out actually. I have added "extra" hay in nesting box - they have layer feed and free roam with meal worms treats daily, along with kitchen scraps. Both birds have whitish legs/end of beaks which I read is another sign of layers.

Now I know older hens don't lay as much but from what I see in the breed descriptions I may expect about 150 eggs or so, even if they are in their 3rd year if previous owner rather embellished real ages?

First time backyard chicken owner here so, I wonder if maybe we are just not "in the spring" enough??? I should say I am in central California and so weather has been warm and seemingly conducive?

Those of you have some older hens, are they not laying yet as well? Particularly in this climate where we are having summer like weather? Maybe soon?

Question

I am ok with less eggs than an egg a day as we don't eat that many weekly, but would love to have at least 3-4 eggs a week. I am being patient and hopeful, but wonder is there any other tricks to assessing an older hen to still be laying? Conditions or foods that might help things along?

Ps - I do have golf balls in nest and was even putting red pepper in food as I read that might help . Hahahah how could a chicken ever have laid an egg without all of this pampering! Hahaha. - I have to say I enjoy these ole gals so either way - I may just have chicken pets- but..........,

Thanks Gang!

 

[Judy]

Okay, thank you Judy. I'll look for it next time I'm out. How often should I give it, when I can get it?

I just put a little in an old metal cat fod dish which has been nailed down to a board so they don't knock it over. I refil it when they empty it. You can rig up a hanging feeder for it with a cut off Coke bottle nailed to the side of the coop. You can do the same with grits, later on when they are old enough -- although if they forage daily, they will probably pick up enough grit from the ground.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Are you feeding layer feed or a grower ration? Is the egg shell the only calcium source you are offering..... ?
An occasional glitch (soft shelled egg) is just that and not really anything I get too overly concerned with... if this becomes a consistent issue ....

My mind is headed in the same direction as Ol Grey Mare's. Hens lay soft shelled eggs for any number of reasons the most likely one in a young hen or pullet is that she has not yet got her calcium storage bank working in sync with her egg laying apparatus. This hen will almost always work the kinks out with a little time. There is also nothing that will hurt you if you eat an unbroken soft shelled egg. Just tear the membrane open over a frying-pan, cook up the egg and enjoy.

The real problem is that some hens have reproductive track issue that results in the production of a HIGH number of soft shelled eggs. A trap nest may be in order to identify these pullets or hens so that their DNA can be purged from your flock, if in no other way than by you refusing to incubate any sound eggs that a known layer of soft shelled or unsound eggs produces. That is unless your sole reason for raising chickens is to establish a poultry leper colony instead of a healthy flock of laying hens. You could likely find a 50# bag of oyster shells at a real-Ag store for what some of the Big-Box stores will charge you for a 5# bag. I purchased a 50# bag over 10 years ago and I would say that I have used less than half.


There is almost no poorer source of dietary calcium for a laying hen than recycled eggshells. This old saw about feeding hens' own eggshells back to them
puts me in mind of the poor unfortunate folks in the 20th Century Fox Science Fiction flick Idiocracy. Below is an example of circular reasoning from the above movie. This reasoning was used in Idiocracy 490 years in the future to prove that irrigating farm land with salt water or Gator-Aid will result in bumper crops, maybe even pre salted popcorn. You know that Gator-Aid is good for your tomatoes because Gator-Aid has Electrolytes and Electrolytes are needed for good human health. So eat your tomatoes and get your Daily Adult Requirement of Electrolytes in only one serving. Gator-Aid has what plants crave, it has Electrolytes. Only the sports drink in the movie is called Brawndo, not Gator-Aid.