I have one hen that has started laying soft shelled eggs,then tip is fo soft that it rips when she drops it and the rest is togather but really soft.They are on a good feed and have free choice to oyster shell.What would cause this?
Qestion about soft shell egg
Has she just started laying this season? Sometimes, when they first get goin after not laying for a while,they will drop a few soft shells.. How bout throwing out some crushed egg shells.. She may be avoiding the oyster shell.. ?
I get a soft shell or really shelless egg every so often and none of my hens are new to their jobs. I think it is just and oversight sometimes.
Remember that hideous looking thing my 3 year old hen passed when she first started back up this year? This really is an attempt to be an egg!
Oh yuck! Did you have to post that again? (Just kidding)
LOL Porkpal.. at least it's blue! LOL
edited to add
This gives others some peace knowing that soft shells are not so bad.. I mean, look, it could be worse! :)
This message was edited Apr 28, 2011 11:08 AM
It's a classic!
Just when I thought that picture was finally out of my mind you had to post it again!! Bleach!
I`m still getting the soft shelled egg,could it be that she may be sick?Althought I havn`t noticed anyone acting any different.I don`t know which one is laying it as its in the box when I collect the eggs
Have you tried giving her crushed egg shells? Have you seen her eat it? Soft shells is usually a calcium deficiency, if not just restarting to lay after time off for winter... she may be avoiding the oyster shell in her feed, she might go for crushed egg shells.
What's a good way to crush their egg shells so they don't have any semblance to egg shells before feeding them to the hens? I mean to get them ground up finely enough?
I smash mine up with an old potato masher in a square plastic bottle. Using a rolling pin works too. I killed a coffee grinder using it - not recommended.
I leave the shells on the counter for a few days to dry them out.. then put them in a plastic bag and step on them.. kinda do the twist... if you have a good strong bag, your good to go!
That sounds like a lot more fun than a potato masher.
You can also do the "mashed potatoes" LOL (if your old enough to know that dance) LOL
How about the "Monster Mash"?
The Two Step?
How about posting videos of these eggshell crushing dances, to teach us all how to do them?
I know!!!! THE FUNKY CHICKEN!!!
LMAO! I just poped on and read those posts giggle i vote for a video to music as a good demenstration for us all.
hehehehehehe
ZZ is the true authority; I vote she makes the video.
I sure don't want to get us off the subject of making that video, but I have a question....How much "stuff" do you have to put on the floor of the chicken's coop? One of my books says "4 - 6 inches deep" and to "change it once a week." My goodness, that would get expensive!! The book also said to use "cut straw and pine wood shavings." Cut straw??? Good grief, do I have to go buy bales of "cut straw"??? I don't have a truck to haul stuff in, only my little Honda Civic, and I don't particularly want to get straw all over the floor of my trunk! Is this really necessary??? From looking at the pics people have posted, the floors don't look like they have that much stuff on it...??! The wood shavings at least come all encased in plastic.... Help!!
Now, please do remember to work on that video....
The deep litter system uses 6" or more of bedding - usually shavings, but you only change it out about once a year. Just add more on top to keep it deep enough. It will sort of compost in place. Cut straw? That must be a British book.
OK, thanks Porkpal. That's a relief. But what other system is there? (You referred to "the deep litter system.")
Oh, and this book said to do that to the run also, not only to the coop. That would use alot of material, especially changing it out once a week.
Another thing this book said that I've wondered about is that "If you have chickens, you will have rats and mice, there's no escaping it." Is this true?? (The author was talking about the vermin going after the hen's feed all the time.) I would hope not necessarily!!....??
I don't have much trouble with rats and mice. I have feral barn cats who may help out. When I see a snake in the barn it is a sure sign of rodent invasion, so I put out bait for them inside the walls where other animals won't get it.
I have a mouse & rat problem.. even being over run with cats.. I'd say it's part of having chickens. The mice are fed and watered when the chickens are.. doesn't mean they will over run your house, but there is free feed.. you're bound to get some freeloaders.
I`ve never had rats but I did have mice this winter,but caught them all in traps then gave them to the chickens,they love them
Oh yuck! The chickens actually ate the mice?? Sounds gory and gruesome!
Yes, they will eat them.. My best broody (is a large bantam size) had to push one down her throat by pressing in against the ground!! Then gulped and gulped, but got it to go down.. gross.. but pleasing.. LOL
We just got some buckeye chickens they are known for their mousing abilitys.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/breeds/buckeye/32682
I love the looks of a Buckeye.. the pea comb gives them a really cool look.
I really like my Buckeyes. They are great foragers and lay reliably. I also think they are very attractive chickens.
I don't know where I got the idea that Buckeyes weren't good layers, thanks for that info, Porkpal. I should have a few, living in Ohio and all.
Absolutely!
Well, I haven't had Buckeyes yet.. I think I raised one from a chick to a late teen, but I don't think I kept them to adult.. Can't remember why.. ? I'm weird, it was probably one of those times when I had too many. Can't imagine that! LOL
I have too many right now - well not actually too many, just too many to have in the garage since it's still too wet for them to bring the new coop. Everytime I go out into the garage there are several who have jumped out of the pen and come running to see me. It's really cute, they get so excited and want to perch on me - but the leave little pooies all over the garage that I have to clean up. The order of EE's will be here Friday, if the eggs in the incubator are going to hatch it will be next week. I'm out of room for a while. The Buckeyes will have to wait a little while. I bet by football season my husband will beg me to get some LOL.
LOL That is too funny Annie! Would you have to dye the buckeyes a different color or two? (might sweeten the pot a little)
I'm not sure my DH would even notice at this point LOL. He's glad that the chickens make me happy & laugh, he calls them "The Birds." He likes them too. I'm about to be very over run by babies within the week. 20 chicks will be here Thursday or Friday (ok, at first it was just 15 EE'ers that I'm splitting with a friend, but then something took over what's left of my mind and I added 5 RIR's to the order) Incubator chicks due a week from tomorrow). I need the rain to stop so the new coop can be delivered. My garage runneth over. I found a home for the two nonlaying wheaten marans. I've kept track, between the two of them we get a total of 4 eggs a month and I swear they eat 50 lbs of food a month too. Crazy.
*G*. I'm about to clean out the "baby box" for the next round. I'd actually forgotten about them, they were ordered so long ago. Got the info that they'll be here the 25th. Of course, that's always a "maybe" Mine are part of another order, and are breeds I haven't had come thru, yet. Third try on Salmon Faverolles.
Time to start:)