Will she grow out of it - Update

[emys]

I just purchased a beautiful young Rhodie who was hatched in March. I have had her for almost 3 weeks now. She has been producing little eggs without shells for the whole of her quarantine period, except for one really huge double yoked egg about a week and a half ago. She is on layer pellets and I've seen her eating the calcium supplement as well. I've not known a pullet to do this for so long...have you?

 

[damselfish]

Yes, I'd call that pretty unusual.

You might get more opinions over in the Emergencies and Diseases section (not that I'm saying she's sick, but there are people over there keeping an eye out for problems).

If you go there, read the sticky at the top and answer the questions as best you can for people to help you better...

Good luck and welcome to BYC!

Edited: Because I don't know where to put spaces...

 

[chookchick]

It takes at least two weeks to get their calcium reserves stocked up again after depletion. Maybe the previous owners had her on starter/grower even though she was laying? Is she pigging out on the oyster shell?

 

[emys]

Thought I'd give everyone an update, in case it will help someone else in my situation.

I kept my hen and kept up the oyster shell, layer feed, and daily broccoli and or kale. I began getting "eggs" I could collect around the 8th of September although the shells were very thin and I'd often break or dent them in collecting them. The shells gradually hardened so that by the 15th I could call them shells, but still quite thin. By the 22nd of Sept. I had a reliable small pullet egg still with a thin shell but, now showing specks of brown coloring on them. The past few days I have slightly larger pullet egg, speckled brown with reasonably hard shell - still not great, but since she has been SLOWLY but STEADILY improving, I have hope that she was simply immature and may one day be a very good layer.

I will not, of course, ever try to hatch her eggs!!!!

 

[emys]

She does lay every day. That's probably what kept me trying with her.

 

[PunkinPeep]

That's awesome! I'm so glad your persistence is bringing her back to egg-laying health!

And good information too!

 

[emys]

Yes, I do think it is a genetic problem that she put the eggs so far ahead of the shells.

But, as I say maybe someone else is wondering how long it might take, and if their hen will ever improve.

 

[chookchick]

Great to hear that she is doing better, and thanks for the update!

 

[emys]

I hope I'll be able to update in another month and say she lays normal eggs.