BlueDawnRising
Songster
Hi all!
I feel like I’m asking questions every day. I promise to lay off…someday. Not today though!
I have what Hoover’s calls a Prairie Blue Bell that is 20 weeks old. She is part of 13 of that age and they are all starting to lay. Tonight, I walked into the run to see what is in the picture below. Another chicken was picking at her feathers where yolk had dripped so I picked her up to move her and more yolk dripped out. I sat her down, just long enough to grab something to wipe her down and she laid a huge soft shell egg. The other chickens tore it apart and ate it before I could pick it up but it had yolk and looked fine.
They are currently on 50/50 chick/layer feed with the goal to transition them to full layer after we use up what we have. They have had oyster shell free choice for a few months now because my older pullets were starting to lay. My question is, is this a “glitch” or do I need to supplement with calcium for a bit? I only have access to expired “assorted berry,” extra strength Tums (shows how often we use it!). I can pick up whatever I need to tomorrow. I could also put oyster shell in her mouth if you think I should intervene.
I appreciate you all and your knowledge! I have learned so much…and continue to do so!
I feel like I’m asking questions every day. I promise to lay off…someday. Not today though!
I have what Hoover’s calls a Prairie Blue Bell that is 20 weeks old. She is part of 13 of that age and they are all starting to lay. Tonight, I walked into the run to see what is in the picture below. Another chicken was picking at her feathers where yolk had dripped so I picked her up to move her and more yolk dripped out. I sat her down, just long enough to grab something to wipe her down and she laid a huge soft shell egg. The other chickens tore it apart and ate it before I could pick it up but it had yolk and looked fine.
They are currently on 50/50 chick/layer feed with the goal to transition them to full layer after we use up what we have. They have had oyster shell free choice for a few months now because my older pullets were starting to lay. My question is, is this a “glitch” or do I need to supplement with calcium for a bit? I only have access to expired “assorted berry,” extra strength Tums (shows how often we use it!). I can pick up whatever I need to tomorrow. I could also put oyster shell in her mouth if you think I should intervene.
I appreciate you all and your knowledge! I have learned so much…and continue to do so!
