Hi Jo, just wanted to pick your brains.
Jay, one of my lovely girls has been laying this type of egg for a couple of weeks now. Today is the only morning she has 'disposed' of it by eating it. Any ideas of what could be causing it? They get pellets, oyster shell, all manner of fruit and veg and even a drink of milk in the mornings. I am stumped and a little worried.
Jo, Manchester
Hi Jo!
Bless her. It is just a soft egg, not a major, major issue but the danger with them is they may get stuck as they are harder for her to lay than a hard shelled egg. You can increase her calcium a little. You must be careful not to overdose on calcium but can add some limestone flour to her food. A pinch a bowl. If things don't improve you could use a stronger calcium supplement such as Davinova C (available via Amazon). I would not give her dairy milk, but soya milk is OK. You could try a more holistic homeopathic approach and crush up one quarter of a 6c tablet of calcium phosphate in water or soy milk once a day. If she eats the egg that is fine, the yolk is good for her. If she starts to have problems long term I would maybe consider an implant at the vets to stop her laying and give her a rest. Hope that helps xxx
What is the best way to deal with a hen who is suffering? If you have exhuasted every option to make your girl well, and she is sufffering then she needs to be put out of her misery. There are some people who are skilled at dispatching a hen, which has the advantage of being quick and ideally being at home so she is not stressed. Essentially though, it has to be done by someone who knows what they are doing!! Never let just anyone do it!! However, I feel it lacks dignity and smacks of the commercial hen industry and I do not like the idea of it so I prefer a visit to the vets. It costs about £15. Money well spent to give your girl a dignified passing.
Jay, one of my lovely girls has been laying this type of egg for a couple of weeks now. Today is the only morning she has 'disposed' of it by eating it. Any ideas of what could be causing it? They get pellets, oyster shell, all manner of fruit and veg and even a drink of milk in the mornings. I am stumped and a little worried.
Jo, Manchester
Hi Jo!
Bless her. It is just a soft egg, not a major, major issue but the danger with them is they may get stuck as they are harder for her to lay than a hard shelled egg. You can increase her calcium a little. You must be careful not to overdose on calcium but can add some limestone flour to her food. A pinch a bowl. If things don't improve you could use a stronger calcium supplement such as Davinova C (available via Amazon). I would not give her dairy milk, but soya milk is OK. You could try a more holistic homeopathic approach and crush up one quarter of a 6c tablet of calcium phosphate in water or soy milk once a day. If she eats the egg that is fine, the yolk is good for her. If she starts to have problems long term I would maybe consider an implant at the vets to stop her laying and give her a rest. Hope that helps xxx
What is the best way to deal with a hen who is suffering? If you have exhuasted every option to make your girl well, and she is sufffering then she needs to be put out of her misery. There are some people who are skilled at dispatching a hen, which has the advantage of being quick and ideally being at home so she is not stressed. Essentially though, it has to be done by someone who knows what they are doing!! Never let just anyone do it!! However, I feel it lacks dignity and smacks of the commercial hen industry and I do not like the idea of it so I prefer a visit to the vets. It costs about £15. Money well spent to give your girl a dignified passing.
