eggs

[Philbasford]

For last few days one of our girls hasnt been forming proper eggs, yesterday the egg was all loose and floppy, is this something i should be worried about or is it something that happens from time to time. they have  good diet, out in a varied garden all day from dawn to dusk, so have access to soil etc.

any ideas?

Phil

[Philbasford]

[SueSteve]

I havent got my chickens yet, but have been doing a lot of reading!
If the shells are thin, then it can mean that they need grit to supplement their diet.

(I'm sure there are plenty of people here who keep chickens that maybe able to advise you better!)

[Heldi]

Have they got a readily available supply of mixed poultry grit? It has little bits of oyster shell in it which provides the calcium to make their eggshells with. It needs to be mixed grit as oystershell on it's own can cause problems. You can get bags of mixed grit from farmstores

[kt.]

Quote from my Raising Chickens Book:

Missing shells occur when a hens shell forming mechanism malfunctions or for some reason one of her eggs is rushed through and laid prematurely. Since the shell forms just before an egg is laid, stress induced by fright or excitement can cause a hen to expel an egg before the shell is finished.

Hope this helps.

[Philbasford]

i have never actually given them any form of grit simply because they scratch around all day in the garden/soil etc and should get plenty from there

[Philbasford]

It seems that two of them may have the same problem with eggs not forming properly,

[kt.]

Definitely need to add some grit. About 10% of feed.

[Heldi]

Hens can lay the odd shelless egg but when it is continuous there is something up.  Unfortunately they can't get all they need from free ranging so mixed grit should be provided. I keep mine in a trough which the chooks can access freely..and they do!

[Philbasford]

ive been providing grit now for a while, she started laying properly but now is laying shelless eggs again, was a littloe quiet and didnt seem herself monday, seems ok now, i am not sure what to do! any ideas?

[wildthing]

Are you sure the hens aren't being disturbed at night? I had "soft" eggs for a while, then found a rat was trying to get into the henhouse at night and keeping them awake.  I now have a solar light with a motion detector by the henhouse. The light comes on and shines under the house when something moves. It seems to have done the trick anyway.

[Philbasford]

hmmm i am not sure if they are or not, ill have to look in to it!its only the one hen though so doubt it

[Riffster]

I agree with the other posters,   Our seven only very occasionally give one "floppy" egg - there is quite a possibility of being frightened by foxes or rats.  Also beware of fireworks.

I hope its a transient problem for you. - Riffster

[Philbasford]

Well she does seems to be hanging around today, not following chirpy around at all, spending lots of time hanging around in hutch, just standing there :(

[northener]

Sounds like shes eggbound. Stand her in warm soapy water for 15 mins take her out and keep her warm. Worked for us. Have a look on practical poultry site for more info. Good luck.

[Philbasford]

Have just given her a bath in the sink!, will give her another one this afternoon, not sure how i can keep her warm as i dont know how to keep her in one place!

[northener]

We used top of a guiena pig cage.

[Philbasford]

Think i might ring vets in a bit and take her tommorrow as a precaution, but as i live in Nottingham i doubt i will find a vet who knows much about chucks! 

[Philbasford]

Well i found a vet, said she was a very thin brown hen, hadnt noticed that!, shes on atinibiotics and is nowlooking much better:)

[northener]

What did he think it was? Did he mention anything?

[Philbasford]

he wasnt sure, he said the chicken industry prognosis of chickens was normally based around post mortems!!!, took her bk after weekend and they weighed her and wormed her.