Vancouver's Leader in Transition toward Strong, Resilient, Complete Communities
I've been struggling with calcium deficiency in my hen who started laying 6 weeks ago. first eggs were fine, then she quit mid September. Then I added some artificial lighting and she started layiing again but thin-shelled and no-shelled eggs. I have 3 pulletts who arent old enough to lay, so I was feeding a combination of organic scratch, organic layer mash, fresh grass and dandelion greens and earth worms. When the eggs got thin and no-shelled I stopped the scratch and decided everyone could eat the layer mash. Everyone hated the mash. So I tried layer pellets-ended up with non-organic by mistake. anyone want a bag of that? Everyone hated the pellets even more than the mash and decided the mash was pretty exciting after all-but they pick out the grain bits and avoid all the small particulate stuff-which I assume is the calcium and other supplements. So should I just starve them until they finish up all of it or what? They have had access to oyster shell calcium as well, but dont seem interested and I have been adding apple cider vinegar to their water. Today I got fed up and gave them a tin of cat food with a dozen ground eggshells in it. Can it be a vitamin deficiency of some other kind that is preventing calcium absorbtion? Anyone go through this before?
Tags:
Try using layer crumbles, which is part way between mash and pellets in size. Less waste that way. Mash is usually used in large operations as it flows better or for chicks. Be careful about feeding layer feed when less than 22 weeks as that can damage their kidneys due to high calcium and phosphorous content. What is the protein content of the feed you're using? I use 18% crumbles, and when I accidently bought 16% pellets, they started pecking each others feathers out which is a habit that's hard to stop once it gets going. It does take a few weeks of early laying to sort out their systems. I've had soft shells, rough shells, double yolks, huge and tiny eggs within the first month or so of laying. Lighting will also make a difference at this time of year.
The curse is lifted! I am now getting consistently nice thick shelled eggs! Not really much change in the feed, so you were all indeed right-it seems sometimes they just need practice when they get started. Either that or I waited too long to add the artificail lighting-let her go off laying then added light then she had to start up the process again. Maybe the adding-shell part of the process didn't come on line as quickly as the making-filling part? In any case I now have eggs and very healthy looking chickens.
Village engages individuals, neighbourhoods & organizations to take actions that build sustainable communities & have fun doing it. Join us!
Village earns 15% on your book purchases from New Society Publishers. Details here.
Interested in getting involved or volunteering with Village Vancouver? check out http://www.villagevancouver.ca/page/volunteering-1.
Regular activities:
Interested in participating in a VV garden? We have collaborative gardens/garden spaces in 5 neighbourhoods. Contact us at gardening@villagevancouver.ca. Gardening now in progress. New gardeners welcome (space allowing).
Kits Village Recycling Depot (Kits Community Centre) Next depot: Thursday, June 15th
Main St. Village monthly gatherings (1st Tuesdays Little Mountain Neighbourhood House) Currently on hold due to COVID
Permaculture Vancouver Meetups (3rd Wednesdays VV McBride Park Fieldhouse (sometimes elsewhere) Next meetup: Special date Thursday, July 29th
West End Community Potluck/WE Urban Garden Club (3rd Sundays West End Community Centre, in July and August 4th Thursdays - July 22nd and August 26th.
© 2024 Created by Yael Stav. Powered by