[tosca100]

I have been an avid reader of the chicken threads since before getting our ladies, and the amount of laying and general health problems nearly put me off getting any at all, but we did and they are a delight.

The only one causing us worry is our Black Rock Clara. Apart from a few days not long after we got her, when she was off colour, she has been in good health and is the brightest and most athletic of our three. (Speckledy Lady G, Warren Florrie)

She went through a spell of laying shell-less and soft eggs, then started laying proper ones, then a couple of soft again, and has now started laying properly again. But today laid a very large egg. I am hoping she will settle eventually, but am worried that she may have problems all her life. She is very well in herself at the moment, I just want her to be happy and healthy. Any advice on how we can achieve this would be appreciated.

Today and yesterday's egg.





Sizes, 87g, 61g (her normal size) 51g (Lady G) and 53g (Florrie)

[Geo]

hi Tosca
Is clara a true black rock or a similar bird. I have rhode rocks and had a lot of problems with soft eggs which eventually killed two of my birds. The rhode rocks are first crosses of the RIR and Plymouth rock. Where the Black Rock is part of long established breeding program.
Geo

[tosca100]

hi Tosca
Is clara a true black rock or a similar bird. I have rhode rocks and had a lot of problems with soft eggs which eventually killed two of my birds. The rhode rocks are first crosses of the RIR and Plymouth rock. Where the Black Rock is part of long established breeding program.
Geo

Not sure, I was told she was, but at the time the significance of a "true" black rock didn't permeate my brain, if it had I would have been more searching in my questions. The lady buys them in, doesn't breed hybrids herself.

[Geo]

I paid £20 each for mine and could have bought the real McCoy for the same price.
I now buy my birds elsewhere.
Hope everything settles down ok for her

[New shoot]

Bet you find that big egg is a double yolker Tosca  

Some birds do take longer than others to settle into laying, but if Clara is happy and healthy, I wouldn't worry.  Sudden illnesses are par for the course with chickens, but if they are well fed (i.e. nutritionally well fed not stuffed with treats) on a balanced diet, well housed, kept clean and treated regularly for worms and the like, you really can't do much more.  You just need to react fast if they are unwell, as they hide it for as long as they can and don't give you many second chances.

Just because Clara lays the odd softie doesn't mean she is doomed to a life of health issues  From your posts so far about your ladies, you are pretty besotted and they get away with murder.  Chickie paradise I would have thought  

[tosca100]

Awww thanks New Shoot and Geo. They are certainly charming, though they do get under my feet at times and Florrie and Lady G have both had my size 7s on their feet today (No harm done) They don't get a lot of treats, I am quite strict with all the animals that way. Shame I can't be the same with myself!

The egg was indeed a double yolker, and made a half decent sponge cake. (see what I mean about the treats?)

I was just after reassurance really, they seem really well, not fat, and very active. They spend a lot of the day wrecking the garden, and trying to find their way through to the dog-proofed veg patch (Florrie got in, and cleared the patch of weeds...........and beetroot, chard, salad leaves, and battered the peas and broad beans, bless her) If they don't want enough layer's pellets we do them a mash with hidden mealworms and a sprinkle of millet. Seems to work ok.