Agri Vehicles Insurance from Greenlands

Author Topic: Soft Shelled Eggs.  (Read 2091 times)

Mel

  • Guest
Soft Shelled Eggs.
« on: July 29, 2011, 07:58:25 pm »
Hi everyone  :wave:

I have been keeping chickens for just over 3 years now and this year I am having a terrible problem with soft shelled eggs,I have even lost two this year through egg peritonitis,ok a few are in full moult but I have put these in another area and taken them off layers.They are completely free ranging,have oyster shell and I have also added limestone flour.Tonics in their water,wormed and still I have these soft eggs. my egg production is down from 40 per day to around a dozen,that's out of 50+ hens.

I do have a few elderly French Marans,coming up 5yrs of age and an ex batt and she is 6!-but she does not lay anymore,she is in retirement like the other elders.I have a dozen warrens and these are 18 months of age,all in full moult.My Cuckoo marans are all off lay,not a choccy egg anywhere,they laid earlier in the year with some fabulous eggs,I think they ave all gone on strike?!

Any other thoughts on the soft shelled eggs?
Melx

little blue

  • Joined Jun 2009
  • Derbyshire
Re: Soft Shelled Eggs.
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2011, 08:02:35 pm »
my marans have been broody, so no brown eggs here either..
As for the soft shell, as long as you are provided grit & a good diet, there's not much else I can think of.  Its just one of those things with older (or some) hens...
Little Blue

Rosemary

  • Joined Oct 2007
  • Barry, Angus, Scotland
    • The Accidental Smallholder
Re: Soft Shelled Eggs.
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2011, 08:06:43 pm »
We're getting reular soft shelled eggs. Like you, they have good quality layer pellets, free range and access to oystershell and grit. I've just put it down to their ages.

Mel

  • Guest
Re: Soft Shelled Eggs.
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2011, 08:21:38 pm »
You must be right,my eldest French Marans lay lovely large brown eggs,but they are nearly always with meaty spots inside :( I guess I shall have to invest in some pol hens next week ;D ~ and put all of these into the "Cluckers" retirement home!

 

Forum sponsors

FibreHut Energy Helpline Thomson & Morgan Time for Paws Scottish Smallholder & Grower Festival Ark Farm Livestock Movement Service

© The Accidental Smallholder Ltd 2003-2024. All rights reserved.

Design by Furness Internet

Site developed by Champion IS