lilikoilady
Hatching
Just read this and think this is the culprit: too much spinach ;(
Prevention:
1) Crushed eggshell or oyster shell should always be made available to your flock on a free-choice basis, not mixed into their feed. This way each hen can eat as much or as little as she needs. Different hens absorb calcium differently, and depending on how good a layer she is, one hen may just need more than another.
2) Avoid feeding spinach, as well as beet greens, chards and citrus fruits, all of which which can interfere with calcium absorption. If soft-shelled eggs are a problem, try cutting those treats out completely. If you do feed them in the future, add some apple cider vinegar to their water (1 Tablespoon of ACV per gallon of water) which helps increase calcium absorption rates.
Thanks so much ... I think stress may be a factor too.
So you don't have to mix the oyster shells - with feed. We feed them the organic layer feed from Costco or our local feed store. Same brand. I'm going to crush up some eggs shells tomorrow.
Prevention:
1) Crushed eggshell or oyster shell should always be made available to your flock on a free-choice basis, not mixed into their feed. This way each hen can eat as much or as little as she needs. Different hens absorb calcium differently, and depending on how good a layer she is, one hen may just need more than another.
2) Avoid feeding spinach, as well as beet greens, chards and citrus fruits, all of which which can interfere with calcium absorption. If soft-shelled eggs are a problem, try cutting those treats out completely. If you do feed them in the future, add some apple cider vinegar to their water (1 Tablespoon of ACV per gallon of water) which helps increase calcium absorption rates.
Thanks so much ... I think stress may be a factor too.
So you don't have to mix the oyster shells - with feed. We feed them the organic layer feed from Costco or our local feed store. Same brand. I'm going to crush up some eggs shells tomorrow.