They're all egg eaters!!! Update!!!!

[Haunted Chicken]

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About two weeks ago I uncovered the nests and put in hard fake eggs. I don't think they have ever even looked in it. As soon as it's light they leave the coop and don't go back in until bedtime. I've got the suspected egg layer locked in the coop right now. Boy is she mad, lol. Hope fully she will do some exploring and find the nest. (The coops only 6x6 so it shouldn't be that hard)

Maybe I should switch to harder golf balls.

 

[Haunted Chicken]

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Sounds like a possiblity to me!!
maybe try and increase their protein??

They have 24/7 access to their food and I give them lots of fruits and veggies and scratch. Hmmmm maybe too much! Maybe they're filling up on melons and veggies? I;ve heard of using cat food as a protein supplement. (Thanks for the reminder of the need for protein) I guess I could try it. It's good quality cat food, can't hurt to have some handy if they want it.

 

[Haunted Chicken]

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Oh my goodness my step daughter was just telling me to try that. I laughed at the idea. My bad lol, guess I need to start hollowing eggs. Thanks

 

[Haunted Chicken]

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lol, if only I could get them in the nest, any nest lol. I'll have to keep this in mind if they ever go in it. Thanks

 

[Uzuri]

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I'd bet good money they're getting too much "junk food". Put them on chicken feed only for a couple weeks and see what you get.

 

[Haunted Chicken]

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I'd bet good money they're getting too much "junk food". Put them on chicken feed only for a couple weeks and see what you get.

I was worried about that. Too much "love" can be unhealthy.

 

[al6517]

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I'd bet good money they're getting too much "junk food". Put them on chicken feed only for a couple weeks and see what you get.

I was worried about that. Too much "love" can be unhealthy.

As is the case by most who don't realize there is the right way to feed and their way to spoil and hurt their development. Feed chicken feed not people food Just sayin.

 

[Haunted Chicken]

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I was worried about that. Too much "love" can be unhealthy.

As is the case by most who don't realize there is the right way to feed and their way to spoil and hurt their development. Feed chicken feed not people food Just sayin.

Just out of curiosity - I will typically give them a pie tin with chopped lettuce and a watermelon wedge (or figs) during the hottest part of the day. A couple times a week I toss in a handful of chicken scratch. They also free range all day. Is this in excess?

Well if I'm being totally honest the grand kids toss in cheerios once in a while, but not much and not too often. Just when they visit. I have a little bell they ring and the ladies come running. I thought it was a fun thing to do at grandma's house. Hmmm, guess it does add up.

 

[allpeepedout]

I had some egg eating -- encouraged by soft shells -- in my new layers. I was extremely concerned. But I read that new layers seem to often have weak or rubbery shells, and it is normal for them to investigate these strange egg objects by pecking, and to eat them if they break. Mother Nature's way of not letting good protein go to waste.

I provided an alternative calcium source (milk) based on a university extension recommendation, and I had no more problems after about two weeks. Also, their egg shells are now super hard just with the layer feed and feeding back some shells. Good luck with yours. Try not to worry too much and give them a chance to get their groove.

 

[Haunted Chicken]

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As in they drink milk? Sorry if that's a dumb question lol. I bought oyster shell for them yesterday. I thought I had a bit of time so didn't have it for them yet. When mine were chicks they loved kefir (kind of like yogurt, and good for their gut) Since it's milk based it would be a good source of calcium. I stopped giving it to them once they started free ranging and getting fruits and veggies.

I had another thought about the above post - I'm still not so sure Fruits and veggies should be considered "people" food. Chickens eat from gardens all the time. If nature is telling then to eat it, it must be good for them. I notice they don't eat my Rhododendrons which are poisonous to them. But if they get in the garden watch out! They eat it all lol. I would think food they forage in nature is good for them. It's not like they're getting spaghetti and tacos for dinner lol. I don't mean for this to sound snotty, just a thought.