[Flowerpower136]

I've just ordered this product from solway feeders.  It's been recommended to me to help with our continuing soft shell problems.

www.solwayfeeders.com/ProductsDetail1.asp?stock_code=3348

Has anyone used it?

Would appreciate an analytical response from HF if he's around. ?

[Lardman]

Id be interested too .

I'm still supplementing feed with limestone flour as I've been getting soft shells for months now,  even doing this nightly Im still getting 2-3 softies a week from one girl.

[Flowerpower136]

I've been using limestone flour, and also giving them a lot more greens, and I think it has made a difference.  But still not good enough.

Today 2 good shells, 1 really soft and squished attempt, and another that might have been a thin shell, or just one that got broken.

Eitherway, these girls are developing a worrying taste for eggs!

Not to mention how awful it is for them to have to lay the blasted things.  Had to pull one out for Paxo yesterday.

I would be intersted to hear HF's opinion on the ingredients though.

[Caralou]

I'd be interested too and please let us know how you get on. One of my ex-barns who is getting on a bit has been laying softies, and now thin shells (which is better but still not good).

[Casey76]

Chemistry really isn't my thing, but I don't know how you can concentrate calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate enough to be efficacious when you have to dilute it to 1:5000!

(but maybe someone can enlighten me!)

[jamima]

Nit enough grit in their diet.

[Casey76]

Grit doesn't make hard shells.  Chickens store grit in their gizzards to help grind up food.

Calcium (from various sources) is required for hard shells.  However you also need vitamin D to help absorb calcium from the intestine.

If you having problems with soft shells after supplementing calcium you could try also supplementing vitamin D also.

[Flowerpower136]

They have access to grit, and also to fine oyster shell, which is what should help their calcium intake.  And once a week get limestone flour and a good slurp of cod liver oil to aid absorption.

I've even tried caclcium tabs (with vitamin D), but it's v hard to get a chicken to take a tablet, and really they don't want their own special portion of food.  The extra special one with the crushed tablet in it . . . they want to be in the scrum and get what everyone else is having, before everyone has chance to get it  . . .  .Tut.    So gave up on that idea.

Whilst on recent hols the girls were looked after by our local gamekeeper, and she suggested this product.  She'd seen it in Solway's brochure.  It's the mention of enzymes etc that has me pinning my hopes on it.  I'm clueless at the scienece bit, and this sounded encouraging, but I'm getting desperate so be honest, so will try anything.

It hasn't arrived yet, but due any day.  I'll give it a go for a week, and report back.  Everyone keep their fingers crossed.

[jamima]

Oh pardon me Casey, it says in my book soft shells is a lack of calcium and specialist poultry grit may remedy the problem .

[sarah f]

goodluck flowerpower anythings got to be worth a try 

[Casey76]

Jamima, poultry grit is a mix of grit (for the gizzard) and broken oystershell (for the calcium for good shells).  Really they should be available separately so the hens can choose which they need rather than mixing it all up.

[spottymint]

Hi

Have used this product for cage birds, calcium & vit D in a liguid form, added to their drinking water or soft food.

http://www.everythingforpets.com/the_bird_care_company_calcivet.pet/use.id.5.item_id.3238.dept.0/

Works on budgies ect.

[nicky d]

Im having the same problems still with one of my girls who is still continuing to lay softies, so ive just bought this product from Net tex,  i read about it in the poultry magazine,  contains high amounts of limestone flour and oyster shell in for eggs, aswell as other minerals.   Have only just started it so will let you know.
http://www.net-tex.co.uk/product_page.cfm?pid=388&men=2

[Lardman]

The chap at the feed place here said its a common problem this year. Perhaps the random weather isn't helping matters.

[compostqueen]

It's not as simple as not enough grit in their diet! 

It's the bird's failure to absorb nutrients that's the problem and you can give limestone flour, grit and oystershell but a bird can still lay softies. Mine does despite having these things ad lib

I found that the Vitamin D from giving a bit of tuna in springwater has worked best for my regular softie layer