[Barry J Scott]

This morning there was a broken egg with a soft shell.  Usually the girls do not lay early morning so I think it was one of the young ones starting to lay.

Is this usuall?  They have plenty of grit and oyster shell.

[Aunt Sally]

If the shell is soft even though they are getting plenty of crushed oyster shell there may be a vitamin D deficience (required for uptake of Calcium).  In the short term add a few drops of cod liver oil to their feed.  But if the problem persists invest in some ShellStim.

Available from Ascott's

[Barry J Scott]

Thanks for the info.

[MontyTom]

I've seen that happen in early POL hens before, Barry.  Just to confirm your suspicions.

[LILACSPLASH]

They lay jelly eggs when they get a fright as well. Aeroplanes, birdy looking over the wall, KIDDIES WITH POWER RANGER SWORDS :roll:  :oops:

[muntjac]

yups , you may find the next one has a double yolk in it , and it is possible for a bird to lay and egg within an egg, ie a fully formed egg with shell and then another egg and shell over the first one ,

[Dabhand]

Isn't it the Russian birds that do that?

[muntjac]

 nah that dolls mate

[Dabhand]

That's right Munty, just my little yoke!

How's things with the exclusion zone etc? I've been away all week and not caught up yet

Dawn

[muntjac]

itson for moving birds but all other restrictions lifted  

[Dabhand]

I was at the Magician's Conference in Blackpool at the weekend and one of the Star Acts on the Gala Evening had flown in from the USA.  He wasn't allowed to bring his own doves into the UK so had to use doves from here that he hadn't rehearsed with.  It was more like a comedy act than a magic act. hehe!!

[Barry J Scott]

Got another one this morning but it had a slightly better shell on it.  Will try to stop my mother giving them loads of treats so they have to eat more of the good stuff.

[Aunt Sally]

Tell mother she can give them treats but only after 3 p.m.  :idea:

That way they eat plenty of the correct food before then  :!:

[Barry J Scott]

She'll be happy with that.  She tries to resist their following gazes but ends up cooking them some spaghetti or giving them some sweet corn.

[muntjac]

can i just ask dont feed to much sweetcorn from the tins folks .frozen after its defrosted is fine but tinned contains a lot of salt .salt and chicken dont mix until they are being cooked