[mears]

hi there i have had my four point of lay hens for 4 weeks now and the boss is laying nice perfect if small eggs now. 3 in 5 days today however there were 2 soft shelled eggs in the coop both broken im not sure who layed them as the other three hens still seem young to me .or is it possible the boss has tried to lay again to quick ?any advice greatly appreciated
im new to this they all seem very happy and eat well and drink plenty and are free ranging my garden which is little more than wasteland now but there happy so im happy ,i have 2 bluebells 1 black sussex and a grey speckled ,the boss is a bluebell shes very aggresive with food and keeps the others from anything other than pellets put out for them

[Vember]

Hi Mears

Welcome to the Hen House

When birds are just starting to lay it's not unusual for them to lay odd shaped or soft shelled eggs whilst they're getting into the swing of things so to speak

Have they got access to oyster shell at all times?


Sarah

[mears]

hi yes they do ,i know the bluebell has been laying small but perfect hard shelled eggs ,so perhaps it is one of the younger birds ,is there a point at which i should be concerned about this ie if there still doing this in a weeks time ,thanks

[Vember]

I'd be worried if one of mine layed a softie every day for a week

What do you feed them on? Do you give treats, if so what?


Sarah
 

[mears]

layer pellets and scraps ie pasta ,rice,bread with oil added to the water they eat grass and whatever they catch in the garden the rest of the time bugs worms etc plants

[Vember]

Stop all the treats (rice/pasta etc...) for a week or two and just give the layers pellets you should find that improves things

Gotta be cruel to be kind I'm afraid


Sarah

[mears]

ouch  thats going to hurt they follow me  into the kitchen and everything for tit bits ,but i will do whats best for my girls two weeks it is then ,just got to get my neighbour to tow the line too that will be hard thankyou very much for the advice ,although i doubt the girls will approve lol