[Oliveview]

Emu, the hen who has a wonky head/neck and looks upside down at us has started to lay eggs with very soft shells  I have her in the garage so she is getting extra calcium.  I am giving her fine oyster grit, bread soaked in cream, greens.  How long does it take for a hen to absorb the calcium into her system?  I hate the thought of losing Emu, she is so daft looking she is lovely
Pamela

[Aunt Sally]

They absorb it quite quickly Pamela but I'd stop the cream (it's mainly fat with not much calcium in it) and try a little bio youghurt insetead. 

[Oliveview]

I´ve got yoghurt with fruit, will that do Aunt Sally till I get back into town on Friday?   Emu is looking very healthy, she had a bald patch on her back where she drank the water and as she tips her head right back the water went onto her back and the other hens pecked it off her back.  Could the fact that she has grown such healthy looking feathers made her calcium levels go down?
Pamela

[Aunt Sally]

There is calcium in feathers even though they are mainly made of protein.

I wouldn't give yoghurt with too much sugar in it though.  I think the crushed oyster shell in her feed should be enough.

[Foxy]

just to add a teaspoon of cod liver oil twice a week will help calcium absorption

[Aunt Sally]

Yes good idea Foxy. 

I supose even in Spain there's not much sun this time of year to make Vit D in the feather oil.

[Oliveview]

Yes good idea Foxy. 

I supose even in Spain there's not much sun this time of year to make Vit D in the feather oil.

Are you having a laugh Aunt Sally? SUN??  NOw if we could absorb vit.d from clouds we´d be ok.  Its raining again
Pamela
ps will do the vinigar and shell mix

[Aunt Sally]

Have you forgotten what the sun looks like Pamela ?  I had too until yesterday and we had a gloriously sunny day but it seems tto have dissapeared again today

[Oliveview]

Emu laid a lovely shelled egg this afternoon  I´m keeping her in the care ward for another 24 hours, just to make sure  
Many thanks for your help Aunt Sally
Pamela

PS we actually have a dry day today   The sky has been blue and we have washing on the line blowing like mad   A few clouds are coming over, so fingers crossed it won´t rain again.  We had a dreadful storm last night.  The local news showed loads fo animals drowned close to Jerez

[Aunt Sally]

Keep her on extra calcium for a while Pamela.  Great to hear she laid a nice egg

[raeburg]

Vit d also promotes calcium absorbtion in the kidneys rather than just in the gut.  Cod liver oil is a good source.