Yolk Coming From Vent Then Soft Shelled Egg…what should I do?

[BlueDawnRising]

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!

 

[townchicks]

It's not unusual for young layers just starting up to have a few issues. Some individuals tend to have issues all their lives. You will have to keep an eye on this one, hopefully she'll work out the kinks soon. Meanwhile, go ahead and give her some calcium, the tums will be fine.

 

[BlueDawnRising]

It's not unusual for young layers just starting up to have a few issues. Some individuals tend to have issues all their lives. You will have to keep an eye on this one, hopefully she'll work out the kinks soon. Meanwhile, go ahead and give her some calcium, the tums will be fine.

Thank you! Do I give her a whole 750 mg?

 

[townchicks]

If she's acting fine now, give half, but continue giving it for about five days.

 

[2beautfulchickens]

im in the same boat. Please advise on the best way to administer. Should I add it to her watermelon.What about probiotics.

 

[BDutch]

Mine prefer egg shells and oyster flakes over the oyster shells. Vitamin D is important too, to absorb the Calcium. Make sure they have plenty of sun too when its not too hot.

It’s generally recommended to give human Calcium with vit D pills for a week on a row to a hen who lays continually soft shell eggs.

 

[BlueDawnRising]

im in the same boat. Please advise on the best way to administer. Should I add it to her watermelon.What about probiotics.

I just opened her mouth and popped the tablet in her mouth. I only had Tums at the time so I broke it in half but she swallowed it once I got it in her mouth. As simple as it sounds, it took two of us to get it in her mouth, one holding her in their arms with one hand against the back of her head and me, opening and putting the pill in her beak. I have read to gently pull down on the wattles, which I did, but she was twisting and turning her head, making it difficult to get the pill in. She did open her mouth but flailed around and I couldn’t get the tablet in. I had better luck with my hand on top of her beak, thumb on one side, pointer on the other, pinching towards her jaw until she opened enough to get the tablet in. I could stabilize her head a bit that way and had more success. Good luck!

 

[BDutch]

I just opened her mouth and popped the tablet in her mouth. I only had Tums at the time so I broke it in half but she swallowed it once I got it in her mouth. As simple as it sounds, it took two of us to get it in her mouth, one holding her in their arms with one hand against the back of her head and me, opening and putting the pill in her beak. I have read to gently pull down on the wattles, which I did, but she was twisting and turning her head, making it difficult to get the pill in. She did open her mouth but flailed around and I couldn’t get the tablet in. I had better luck with my hand on top of her beak, thumb on one side, pointer on the other, pinching towards her jaw until she opened enough to get the tablet in. I could stabilize her head a bit that way and had more success. Good luck!

@azygous or @Eggcessive , is there a trick to feed human Ca tablets to chickens easily?

 

[Mrs. K]

Or you could do nothing... it is highly stressful on a bird to manhandle them down to give them the tums.

It is very very common to have some misfiring when pullets start laying. Sometimes you get shell less eggs, a lot of the time you don't. When I first started, I rushed in. Then a respected poster said, it takes 7 days if you treat them, and a week if you don't.

I do not treat mine for what you are describing. She will get better on her own. If it became a long term problem, she would not be laying for me any more.

Mrs K

 

[azygous]

To give a pill to a chicken just pry open the beak and shove the pill in. It will easily slide down into the crop. Chickens can swallow whole mice and lizards so a pill is a piece of cake.