Squishy egg?? My hen isn’t eating her calcium supplements

[tizabel_]

Later today I came across this squishy, clear-ish egg in my chickens coop. I’ve heard enough to know that it’s because she wasn’t getting enough calcium to form the shell, right? I feed the hens all flock feed because I‘m under the impression that layer feed could be harmful to my rooster in the long run. I always have a bowl of oyster shells for the hens but I didn’t notice that they haven’t been eating it.

So my questions are: Is layer feed harmful to roosters? He’s a sweety and I want him to live a long life. How do I get the hens to eat their calcium? Should I just give up on the supplements and just feed layer feed?

Thanks beforehand for any replies!

 

[tizabel_]

Anyone?

 

[JaeG]

Layer feed only contains quick release calcium. The oyster shell grit is much more important for quality egg shells as that provides a slow release source that sits in the hen's gizzard and slowly dissolves, making the calcium available to her during the night while she isn't eating and while the majority of the shell on the egg is actually being made.

If it's only the one egg I'd say it's an anomaly that occasionally happens.

The issue with too much calcium for roosters is that excess calcium can cause kidney problems. It can also happen to pullets put on layer feed well before they start to lay, and also to older hens who aren't laying but are still being fed layer feed. It's called Urolithiasis.

 

[tizabel_]

Layer feed only contains quick release calcium. The oyster shell grit is much more important for quality egg shells as that provides a slow release source that sits in the hen's gizzard and slowly dissolves, making the calcium available to her during the night while she isn't eating and while the majority of the shell on the egg is actually being made.

If it's only the one egg I'd say it's an anomaly that occasionally happens.

The issue with too much calcium for roosters is that excess calcium can cause kidney problems. It can also happen to pullets put on layer feed well before they start to lay, and also to older hens who aren't laying but are still being fed layer feed. It's called Urolithiasis.

Thank you, I didn’t know about that.
Assumimg that it wasn’t just an anomaly, how should I get them to eat their oyster shells?

 

[leia_and_friends]

Mine laid a few of those squishy eggs a few weeks ago when they were just getting started! I'm still giving them pullet grower for the higher protein content. And they wouldn't eat much of their oyster shell when I put it out either...

Lately I have been offering it to them in my hand about once a day, and at least one will take a few pecks. The other night as 3 of them were going to roost, I gave them some and they were wolfing it down. The only time my girls seem to eat it is when I hand feed it to them!

~ Jemima

 

[chrissynemetz]

How old are your ladies? Are they actually eating the OS?
Sometimes I'll get a random softie. When I find one I cut out their treats for a few days and it usually stops.

 

[tizabel_]

How old are your ladies? Are they actually eating the OS?
Sometimes I'll get a random softie. When I find one I cut out their treats for a few days and it usually stops.

Only one just started to lay about a month ago and I’ve never actually seen her eat the OS. Thanks for replying!

 

[JaeG]

Only one just started to lay about a month ago and I’ve never actually seen her eat the OS. Thanks for replying!

They don't need much so hopefully she is grabbing a bit here and there are you just aren't seeing her do it.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I wouldn't worry too much unless it starts happening regularly. New layers can give you all sorts of weird eggs before they get the glitches all worked out

 

[aart]

how should I get them to eat their oyster shells?

You can sprinkle a dozen pieces on top of feed and/or sprinkle some on the ground with some scratch grains. Mixing the OS with crushed egg shells can help too.