Update and question

[LaFleche]

whole milk

Milk or rather lactose is hard to digest for chickens and will lead to diarrhea. If feeding them dairy products, be sure it is only small amounts of natural/greek yoghurt, buttermilk or curd or skyr.

 

[Brenda Jones]

Do you mean that the pellets are made of organic grain or all you are feeding is organic grain?
They need actually formulated feed, grains (i.e scratch) isn't nutritionally balanced. it's like you eating nothing but cheerios, there's some nutrition but its all carbs and you won't last long.

The feed has all the nutrients, it is just in a raw grain mix ( not crumbles or pellets). They are used to free ranging, but we have several inches of snow on the ground and my girls don't have any interest in coming out of their run to forage. I can't even coax them out with a treat of dried crickets / meal worms or grublies they are just eating the regular ration with some added treats now and again... I grow greens for them in the house and bought them some dandelion greens which they have really enjoyed the past 2 weeks while the next batch of greens get up to size.

 

[oldhen2345]

I give my girls a vitamin supplement during the winter. I know they probably don't need a supplement, but since there aren't many bugs around, I just feel better doing that even though they get greens and protein snacks. They seem to thrive with it, though.

 

[Brenda Jones]

Milk or rather lactose is hard to digest for chickens and will lead to diarrhea. If feeding them dairy products, , be sure it is only small amounts of natural/greek yoghurt, buttermilk or curd or skyr.

usually if I give them milk it is with some oatmeal warmed and they may get that treat once every few weeks / month and I alternate with the Greek yogurt, they only get about a half cup for all 3 of them together.

 

[Brenda Jones]

I give my girls a vitamin supplement during the winter. I know they probably don't need a supplement, but since there aren't many bugs around, I just feel better doing that even though they get greens and protein snacks. They seem to thrive with it, though.

what kind of supplement? where do you get it?

 

[oldhen2345]

what kind of supplement? where do you get it?

I use SeaBuck 7 and I get it from Amazon- it is pricey, but since I only have a few chickens, it lasts a long time.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

what kind of supplement? where do you get it?

I break up a Tums and I give that to which ever girl is having a problem for a couple days and usually the problem is solved. I keep a bottle of Tums in their coop so it is handy.

 

[LaFleche]

The feed has all the nutrients, it is just in a raw grain mix ( not crumbles or pellets). They are used to free ranging, but we have several inches of snow on the ground and my girls don't have any interest in coming out of their run to forage. I can't even coax them out with a treat of dried crickets / meal worms or grublies they are just eating the regular ration with some added treats now and again... I grow greens for them in the house and bought them some dandelion greens which they have really enjoyed the past 2 weeks while the next batch of greens get up to size.

From what I can read and have seen on their website, this is a grower feed 17% crude protein, but with max. 1,3 % calcium not providing enough for already laying hens.

So if you provide an extra dish containing additional calcium free choice they should be alright, once the acute deficiency is overcome.

 

[oldhen2345]

I break up a Tums and I give that to which ever girl is having a problem for a couple days and usually the problem is solved. I keep a bottle of Tums in their coop so it is handy.

That is a great idea- I never thought of that.

 

[theoldchick]

Pullets just starting to lay will have strange eggs until the shell gland has worked out the kinks. If you are feeding a good quality layer feed and sufficient water you don't need to start adding calcium to the diet, as too much calcium and other mineral can cause soft shells. I don't get worried unless the problem continues then I start looking at other factors such as stress, overcrowding and diseases. High production breeds will also lay soft/brittle shells. I have Sapphire Gems and though they lay at a good rate, I do get soft/brittle eggs now and again.

https://cluckin.net/why-are-my-chickens-laying-soft-or-thin-shelled-eggs.html