The Poultry Keeper

jojosutcliffe · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 11

Hi, was wondering whether anyone could help.

Yesterday one of our warren first year layers had a soft shelled egg that was broken and stuck to her rear end near her vent. She is looking dull and is keeping herself to herself.

They are being fed ad lib layers pellets, with access to grass and have wheat as a treat. We also have being using poultry spice when our egg numbers dropped. We have treated them for lice with a organic treatment. The other birds are fine and we have not had any other soft shelled eggs.

I have checked her vent and she seems clean and there is no broken shell within her.

I was just wondering whether there was anything I could try or if anyone knows what the problem may be. Thank you Smile

Jo

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1219 Location: Cornwall

When they come into lay they do lay soft shelled eggs and tiny ones sometimes too, it's nothing to worry about. I'd remove the egg membrane thats round her vent, otherwise the others will start pecking at it.

As she's a hybrid, they're bred as laying machines, and you shouldnt really give them anything other than layers pellets, fresh water and grass or greens.

jojosutcliffe · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 11

Thanks for your reply. She recovered after a couple of days and now is fine. She had been laying previous to the soft egg so its a bit strage but these little chickens like to keep us on our toes don't they Very Happy

Thanks again