[angeandjohn]

Hi and good evening everybody. Been looking for info. on soft shelled eggs, we have five chooks, had them about 18 months now, and over the last couple of weeks have had a run of soft shelled eggs, sometimes 2 a day. We suspect one of the light sussex [we have 2] and possibly the other one, or one of the blue marans [again, we have 2]. The rmaining chook, a warren, the most docile of them, is definitely laying o.k. We have been scratching our heads as to what is causing the problem, we have changed nothing on the food regime, pellets and grit available during the day, and some corn first thing, and sometimes last thing, and kitchen greens etc when available. There netted run is about 20 sq.m, and we let them out into the garden in the afternoon, in a netted area which is changed to even out the wear somewhat! All were wormed [Flubenvet] about 3 weeks ago. Any suggestions please!
angeandjohn

[joyfull]

hello angeandjohn do you have oyster shell available for them at all time? It would also be better to only give them treats in the afternoons/teatime so that you can be sure they are getting enough layers 

[hillfooter]

The stock answer is a calcium deficiency.  However more properly it should be a calcium absorption problem and they need Vit D (from memory) to metabolise calcium so if you are giving oyster shell add a multivit to their water too.  Bayer do a Pig & Poultry multivit powder in a sachet which will last you a long time rather than the vastly more expensive Lifeguard.  If this doesn't work try a more potent source of calcium such as limestone flour available from equine stores.  Don't feed this for more than about 10 days and if it still doesn't  clear up it could be some other problem related to an infection but give it a little time to right itself first.
HF

[angeandjohn]

Good morning Joyfull and hillfooter: thanks for your very prompt replies, I must admit I wasn't expecting any answers until this morning! With regard the pellets, the chooks are eating them well - whether the soft shell layer is is anybody's guess, though! We have the grit/oyster shell mixed in with the pellets, and also put some in the corn, the pellets are in a feeder that they have access to when the're out. I have seen limestone flour at our local Mole Valley Farmers, so will give that a go, unless the other stuff is available

Thanks again
angeandjohn

[hillfooter]

I'd not mix the oyster shell in with their feed but make available separately.   Too much calcium can be as bad if not worse than too little and really if you are giving layer's pellets they should be getting adequate calcium anyway.  Try the multivits which should be available from Mole Valley.

I could right its self though what seems suspictious is that they have previously been fine and it is more than one hen giving them and it's not a one off.

There's no sign of sneezing or rales is there?

Best wishes
HF

[angeandjohn]

Goodday hillfooter, thanks for your further message.
We managed to get some limestone flour on Saturday afternoon from MVF, and started treatment of the one chicken we definitely know is laying soft shelled eggs, mixing in some of the flour with a feed. Had 4 'normal' eggs this morning, plus one soft shelled, which I think was not quite so soft shelled, one of the Marans had had a peck at it, caught her with yolk on her beak! So, things seem to be improving, it would appear only one chook is affected, maybe it was only one if it had laid more than 1 egg in a day?
Noted your point re: keeping the oyster shell/grit separate, we had tried this initially and appeared to have no interest, so started mixing it with the feed

thanks and regards
angeandjohn