Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: mummychick on March 31, 2011, 17:24
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Percina, who is about a year old, has been laying soft eggs for about a week now. She is still eating and drinking but I noticed today that she is standing all hunched up and she keeps closing her eyes. I bought some mineral powder to add to their food, which says it will help with soft eggs. Anyone got any idea what may be wrong with her? :(
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I do know that laying softies can take it out of hens. Has she got plenty of access to Oystershell for calcium - this is a likely reason for the soft shells?
What sort of mineral powder are you giving her? If it is poultry spice then that is about 25% calcium which may help. A splash of cod liver oil which is high in vit D can also help with the absorption of calcium (which they normally 'manufacture' this themselves from sunlight though this can be a problem with shorter days).
Hope this helps
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Sorry, just noticed that I said 'has she got plenty of access to Oystershell for calcium - this is a likely reason for the soft shells' - what I meant was a lack of oystershell could be a problem - just thought I should clarify!
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mummychick, when did she lay her last egg? Is there any sign of discharge and/or swelling around her rear end? I've read on here about hens laying soft eggs where an egg can break inside her and not get properly cleared out, causing a nasty infection. If you think this is the case, a visit to the vet would be called for.
I hope Percina is feeling better soon.
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Thank you for the replies :) She has access to Oystershells and grit, although I never see them going near it!!! Not sure when she laid her last egg as we have 4 chickens and I'm not sure who lays what!! But I have seen her going into the house to lay an egg. The mineral powder I am giving her says that it has 45% Calcium. She seems better today and she is definately not off her food, lets hope she keeps improving :)