One Hen Laying Eggs with Deposits

  • 6 Replies
  • 1839 Views
*

Hitman

  • Full Member
  • **
  • Location: Lichfield
  • 53
One Hen Laying Eggs with Deposits
« on: April 22, 2017, 17:36 »
Hello,

I have one of my thee hens which is laying eggs with deposits on the pointed end.  All the posts and information I can find points to a deficiency of calcium which they say to feed oyster/egg shell.  All three chickens have access to the same crushed egg & oyster shells (I crush up old egg shells and mix it in), they also have access to poultry grit, both of which regularly topped up (never left to become empty).  They are fed on Layers pellets which is supplemented with garden greens.

So can anyone offer advice on why one chicken appears not up be eating the shell?  Strangely I think she is the dominant hen, and she is certainly the heaviest of the three. 

Any help would be gratefully received.

Many thanks

Hitman.

*

New shoot

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Reading
  • 18324
Re: One Hen Laying Eggs with Deposits
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2017, 18:24 »
Do you mean just odd dots and lumps of extra shell Hitman?  Sometimes these can be a deeper colour than the main shell, sometimes the same.

Mine do this when they start laying for the year or as they are coming to the end of lay.  Older hens that are getting into more sporadic laying patterns tend to do this as well.  When they are in full swing, the egg shells are perfect.

It sounds like your hens have a great diet, so there shouldn't be too much to worry about  :)

*

Hitman

  • Full Member
  • **
  • Location: Lichfield
  • 53
Re: One Hen Laying Eggs with Deposits
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2017, 10:20 »
Thank you for the response.

I shall stop worrying.

Hitman

*

8doubles

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Hakin Pembrokeshire
  • 5266
Re: One Hen Laying Eggs with Deposits
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2017, 10:40 »
All the calcium needs should be covered by the layer pellets if the hen is eating enough of them and not grazing or other free ranging.
I always have oyster shell out for the hens but have never ever seen them eat any !
Sometimes small raised rough spots show on eggs which if you scratch them off have very little shell beneath.

I think that this is more to do with the hens egg forming apparatus than lack of calcium.

I am amazed that birds can form  perfect egg shapes as regularly as they do.

*

grinling

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Lincs
  • 3673
Re: One Hen Laying Eggs with Deposits
« Reply #4 on: April 27, 2017, 16:36 »
are the shells thin when you crack them.

*

Hitman

  • Full Member
  • **
  • Location: Lichfield
  • 53
Re: One Hen Laying Eggs with Deposits
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2017, 20:53 »
Sorry for the delay in responding - I've been away on business.

No, I wouldn't say the eggs shells are weaker than the others. 

Now they are all in production I can see a regular pattern from my one bird.

If my efforts have worked I should have attached a photo.

Many thanks

Hitman.
image.jpg

*

ghost61

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Location: Peterborough, Cambs
  • 914
Re: One Hen Laying Eggs with Deposits
« Reply #6 on: May 01, 2017, 06:52 »
Personally I wouldn't worry about it, all my hens do this from time to time.  I thought that I'd read that it was excess calcium rather than a lack of calcium, otherwise how do they produce the lumps!



xx
Hen laying 2 eggs

Started by redjane11 on The Hen House

9 Replies
2531 Views
Last post July 04, 2011, 12:56
by redjane11
xx
Laying less eggs

Started by CattinJ on The Hen House

4 Replies
1423 Views
Last post May 01, 2010, 13:00
by themagicaltoad1
xx
hen laying eggs off perch!

Started by smiler43 on The Hen House

4 Replies
2000 Views
Last post April 27, 2008, 11:14
by smiler43
xx
Chickens not laying eggs

Started by donna nash on The Hen House

4 Replies
1770 Views
Last post June 15, 2007, 12:02
by donna nash
 

Page created in 0.23 seconds with 37 queries.

Powered by SMFPacks Social Login Mod
Powered by SMFPacks SEO Pro Mod |