LyndallA
In the Brooder
- Jun 14, 2024
- 17
- 11
- 44
Hi ya'll,
I've read through many of the threads about rubber eggs and can see that I should start with calcium nitrate and D3 supplement.
Here's my situation (and plea for advice): I'm very new at this. I have 5 Red Stars given to me by a farm neighbor who inherited them from a suburban backyard family member. I have them in a coop in an outdoor enclosed area (i.e., they spend most of their days outside in coastal Oregon where it's off and on overcast/sunny). They are happy with Payback layer feed, food scraps, worm larvae, but will not eat scratch nor oyster shells. I've been feeding them homemade goat cheese, crumbled hardboiled eggs and egg shells occasionally.
Here's my problem:
1) one of the 5 (and I don't know which one) is laying rubber eggs. One of the 5 has a poopy butt. Is it likely the same chicken?
2) looks like I need to do a calcium supplement, but I'm not a chicken whisperer (there's no way I'm giving them a pill or injection). Is there something I can add to their group diet that will help? Liquid in waterer? powder on treats? something to integrate into goat milk cheese?
3) about the poopy butt: have read it might be worms? I can probably get it to together deworm, should I deworm all chickens in case it is worms?
Thank you ALL for your advice and time!
I've read through many of the threads about rubber eggs and can see that I should start with calcium nitrate and D3 supplement.
Here's my situation (and plea for advice): I'm very new at this. I have 5 Red Stars given to me by a farm neighbor who inherited them from a suburban backyard family member. I have them in a coop in an outdoor enclosed area (i.e., they spend most of their days outside in coastal Oregon where it's off and on overcast/sunny). They are happy with Payback layer feed, food scraps, worm larvae, but will not eat scratch nor oyster shells. I've been feeding them homemade goat cheese, crumbled hardboiled eggs and egg shells occasionally.
Here's my problem:
1) one of the 5 (and I don't know which one) is laying rubber eggs. One of the 5 has a poopy butt. Is it likely the same chicken?
2) looks like I need to do a calcium supplement, but I'm not a chicken whisperer (there's no way I'm giving them a pill or injection). Is there something I can add to their group diet that will help? Liquid in waterer? powder on treats? something to integrate into goat milk cheese?
3) about the poopy butt: have read it might be worms? I can probably get it to together deworm, should I deworm all chickens in case it is worms?
Thank you ALL for your advice and time!