Seems like it took FOREVER!!

[broomrider]

Turns out my RSL wasn't a slacker after all! My son found three eggs today. Not in the nest but in the yard. I hope she doesn't make a habit of this!. I posted yesterday she hadn't laid in two days but I guess she did.

 

[pinkmartin73]

So I got another rubber egg today. This one was under the roosts. Someone hollowed out a nest in the bedding. So rubber eggs 2 days in a row, neither of them in the nest boxes. This has me worried. All the other eggs I'm getting are really hard shelled and in the nest boxes. I can't figure out who is the wierdo and why she hasn't read the egg laying handbook yet. Anyone have any thoughts? Why is everyone else apparently getting plenty of calcium and understanding what nest boxes are for? I could understand her just not wanting to use the boxes but she must not be eating oyster shell either. If she isn't getting calcium will she start leaching from her bones? I don't want that to happen.

 

[pinkmartin73]

Turns out my RSL wasn't a slacker after all!  My son found three eggs today.  Not in the nest but in the yard.  I hope she doesn't make a habit of this!.  I posted yesterday she hadn't laid in two days but I guess she did.  

Glad my girl isn't the only dummy that doesn't understand the rules.

 

[pinkmartin73]

Hi everyone, I read someplace that if the bones on a hen by the rump are separated, an egg would soon follow. I checked and while I was checking some of them lifted the tails and were shaking back and forth. What does that mean in terms of eggs coming and time frame? Thanjs

I'm sorry. That is beyond my scope of experience. Let us know when you get eggs. We can all learn something.

 

[broomrider]

So I got another rubber egg today. This one was under the roosts. Someone hollowed out a nest in the bedding. So rubber eggs 2 days in a row, neither of them in the nest boxes. This has me worried. All the other eggs I'm getting are really hard shelled and in the nest boxes. I can't figure out who is the wierdo and why she hasn't read the egg laying handbook yet. Anyone have any thoughts? Why is everyone else apparently getting plenty of calcium and understanding what nest boxes are for? I could understand her just not wanting to use the boxes but she must not be eating oyster shell either. If she isn't getting calcium will she start leaching from her bones? I don't want that to happen.

What breed is she? Maybe she's been talking to my hen and it is some sort of conspiracy. Maybe she just skimmed over the handbook. Or she could need glasses. I think my hen just didn't want me to collect her eggs even though she doesn't sit on them.

 

[pinkmartin73]

What breed is she?  Maybe she's been talking to my hen and it is some sort of conspiracy.  Maybe she just skimmed over the handbook.  Or she could need glasses.  I think my hen just didn't want me to collect her eggs even though she doesn't sit on them.

Ha ha!

I wish I knew which breed. I have 3 buff orpingtons, 3 rhode island reds, 2 easter eggers, and a bantam partridge wyandotte.

I know its not an EE. They both lay in the boxes and have nice hard shelled blue eggs. I don't think the bantam is laying yet. But she is the only one I know for sure doesn't check out the laying boxes at all. I guess it could be her. But the egg yesterday was in the pool and she isn't one to spend time in there. Ugh. I really don't have time to live in the coop. I will look tomorrow and see if I have any wood left to make a small nest box on the floor. I KNOW they can all get up to the current boxes. They are lower than the roosts.

 

[pinkmartin73]

I did a bit of research. From what I gather, soft eggs can be caused by stress. The 2 main stressors mentioned were extreme heat (we are just now getting super hot temps) and bullying (this particular pullet appears to be at the very bottom of the pecking order). She isn't missing feathers or being physically hurt. If treats are given, though, the others will push her out of the way and yell at her. She does eat well but usually is not at the head of the line. She certainly isn't skinny or malnourished looking. I do not use layer feed since I have a rooster. I do provide oyster shell free choice. I also feed boiled eggs crushed up with shell. That *should* help with calcium, protien and vitD. All things needed for proper eggs. Also, new layers can often lay soft eggs. I guess I will watch and see. I might put a bit of food coloring in her vent to see if she lays.

 

[broomrider]

You REALLY want to know don't you? Good thing I have a trail camera so I don't have to do that!

Ha ha. And keep us posted.

 

[k5crew]

Pink - I'm getting soft and shell-less from a Buff right now. Ugh!! She is my favorite too.

On a good note - 8 eggs yesterday!!! So many of the younger birds are starting up now. It is the best. I also picked up a two chickswho are about 3 wks old. My hubby was like

. Me

!!! I'll get pics soon they are staying with a friend who has a brooder going.

 

[WVduckchick]

So far, mine haven't had any issues with shell quality, but I only have 3 laying (1 has been laying for almost 2 weeks, the other 2 just started this past Monday) I don't have any roosters in with my older ones yet, so I give them layer feed. But I do have 3 roosters in my group of 10 lavender orps -- they are only 14 weeks. When I let everyone out in the yard (evenings, while I'm home), the younger ones do go into the older ones pen and eat the layer feed. Including the roosters. Its not going to hurt the boys, is it? The big girls still also go into the smaller pen and eat the starter crumble... I also have a small feeder with oyster shell in it, and I notice several of the girls eating it, but I've never noticed any of the boys touching it. Its been pretty hot here too, so maybe that is what is delaying some of my girls, but I think they will catch up any day now.

Pink -- I'd love to see a picture of your banty partridge Wyandotte! Please, please? lol I hope you figure out your soft shell maker.