Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1748 Location: Lincolnshire
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 15 4:02 pm Post subject: Broken eggs
And here I am with another question...
One of our new-ish Orpingtons, last year's pullets, has just started laying for the first time. I have found two broken eggs in the past couple of weeks and was worried about egg eating - but the shells seem very thin and I think they may just have broken. Found a third one today just a bit cracked after hen had left the nestbox.
Is this likely to be just new layer problem and will get better - or does she need more calcium or anything else to eat? They are on layers pellets with some garden greens (ends of cabbage) and some time each day scratching around in the veg garden. I put oyster shell in with the pellets.
Is this likely to be just new layer problem and will get better - or does she need more calcium or anything else to eat? They are on layers pellets with some garden greens (ends of cabbage) and some time each day scratching around in the veg garden. I put oyster shell in with the pellets.
Or is a sign of something wrong with her?
they often do this when they first come into lay, or lay doubles or lay tinies... it will encourage egg eating though, so rush in and clean up as often as possible. And hope she improves..
The diet sounds fine, I dont mix the oyster sell in with pellets.. just have it on offer in a bowl.
VM
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1748 Location: Lincolnshire
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 15 2:09 pm Post subject:
Thanks both. I thought it might be a newbie-layer thing. Her sister's eggs are also a bit thin-shelled though have not actually broken. Will see about more calcium and keep an eye on it all.