Loose droppings and a shell less egg

[CrockChickens9]

Sorry here’s her egg today!

 

[CrockChickens9]

Additionally, I have started mixing the layer feed into the grow to slowly transition. Doing it really slow as not to stress her more.

 

[CrockChickens9]

Correction, she is still aggressive. Saw another attack today. Attacked the same first new laying pullet again. Will this sort itself out? Still no blood but unpleasant. She’s really a mess.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So she laid twice since the soft shell egg and yesterday was day 5 of the calcium vitamin D supplement. So I have not given it today. Her shells seem plenty thick but the first was the same as the one above with ridge and the second has some wrinkling. I’ll attach a picture. She’s not aggressive anymore that I’ve seen and we had one of the other pullets start to lay 3 days ago. 2 remaining yet to lay are squatting, singing songs and sitting in the boxes just no eggs yet. She seems to have given up control a bit. Both the new layers laid in her box this morning and she waited outside until they were done and laid after them. Could this all be from stress or maybe does she have a faulty shell gland? She laid fine previously. Is it ok to discontinue the calcium? Should I be concerned at all that she’s sick? Thank you for any insight anyone can provide!

Yes, the way the egg is, could be from stress. She may be delaying laying the egg if another pullet is in her favorite box.

Hopefully things will settle. When pullets start to come into lay, it can be stressful not only on the "newbies" but the rest of the flock too. Everyone is still trying to find their place within the flock and pecking order.

I'm not surprised she is still showing some aggression, usually this will settle down. Not always, she may constantly remind the pullet who's in charge. It can be unsettling to watch at times, but if she's not drawing blood, then I'd just continue to observe.

I'd taper off on the Extra Calcium, see how well her egg quality is and if she has any troubles. First sign or inkling that she's struggling expelling an egg, get the Calcium into her asap and then at least the next day.

Good idea on mixing the feed, this will help with the transition. Do provide oyster shell free choice along with granite.

Thank you for the update, keep me posted.

 

[CrockChickens9]

Yes, the way the egg is, could be from stress. She may be delaying laying the egg if another pullet is in her favorite box.

Hopefully things will settle. When pullets start to come into lay, it can be stressful not only on the "newbies" but the rest of the flock too. Everyone is still trying to find their place within the flock and pecking order.

I'm not surprised she is still showing some aggression, usually this will settle down. Not always, she may constantly remind the pullet who's in charge. It can be unsettling to watch at times, but if she's not drawing blood, then I'd just continue to observe.

I'd taper off on the Extra Calcium, see how well her egg quality is and if she has any troubles. First sign or inkling that she's struggling expelling an egg, get the Calcium into her asap and then at least the next day.

Good idea on mixing the feed, this will help with the transition. Do provide oyster shell free choice along with granite.

Thank you for the update, keep me posted.

Thank you very much for your help. It’s hard to watch her struggle and her flock mate get attacked. I miss the peace in the flock. I’ll continue to monitor things and support as needed. She never lays two days in a row anymore. It’s consistently every other day. Will stress also cause her to lay less? I’m just concerned and don’t want to miss any signs that she’s in distress. My BO that died over Christmas felt like it came out of nowhere but looking back there were subtle signs. I guess there may not be much I can do anyway. Thanks again for the support!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you very much for your help. It’s hard to watch her struggle and her flock mate get attacked. I miss the peace in the flock. I’ll continue to monitor things and support as needed. She never lays two days in a row anymore. It’s consistently every other day. Will stress also cause her to lay less? I’m just concerned and don’t want to miss any signs that she’s in distress. My BO that died over Christmas felt like it came out of nowhere but looking back there were subtle signs. I guess there may not be much I can do anyway. Thanks again for the support!

If she's consistent with every other day, I wouldn't worry too much.
It takes about 24-26hours for an egg to be laid (start to finish). Often pullets lay daily at the beginning then settle into their natural routine. A lot depends on breed, stress is a factor, etc. etc.
For me, every other day is good. I've had hens that laid daily for a long time, they don't live a long time though.

She's not old at 10months, but really coming into the age of becoming a hen, to full maturity and her system being regulated.

 

[CrockChickens9]

If she's consistent with every other day, I wouldn't worry too much.
It takes about 24-26hours for an egg to be laid (start to finish). Often pullets lay daily at the beginning then settle into their natural routine. A lot depends on breed, stress is a factor, etc. etc.
For me, every other day is good. I've had hens that laid daily for a long time, they don't live a long time though.

She's not old at 10months, but really coming into the age of becoming a hen, to full maturity and her system being regulated.

That makes sense. My new pullet is laying daily and has yet to take a break in two weeks. Is there anything you can do additionally to support them during this time? Seems like a lot of work and I just started transitioning layer feed this week. Thanks again for your help!

 

[CrockChickens9]

Tonight the Australorp is not in her normal roosting spot (spot furthest from the coop door). The newly laying pullet she attacks is in her spot. She is next in line right next to her. No fight for it that I noticed. Is she being overthrown? If so, is that common when other birds are integrated and start laying or could it be because she’s unwell?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That makes sense. My new pullet is laying daily and has yet to take a break in two weeks. Is there anything you can do additionally to support them during this time? Seems like a lot of work and I just started transitioning layer feed this week. Thanks again for your help!

Tonight the Australorp is not in her normal roosting spot (spot furthest from the coop door). The newly laying pullet she attacks is in her spot. She is next in line right next to her. No fight for it that I noticed. Is she being overthrown? If so, is that common when other birds are integrated and start laying or could it be because she’s unwell?

The pullet may be taking over. Probably not too uncommon since likely she's the "head" of all the pullets that were integrated.
They may have worked it out and now the pullet is head or perhaps they have called a draw for the moment. Hard to know.
It's all interesting to watch, if you can hack the drama/picking/dust ups.

I'd just keep close watch on the Hen, since she is roosting, I'd say she's o.k.

Laying is a lot of work. There's SO much to learn, it's a lifetime endeavor that I will never succeed at, but it's fun anyway. A hen's reproductive system is amazing. A pullet usually will lay every day for a while, then may start to regulate to once every other day or so, depending on breed. After they go through their molt at around 12-16 months of age, you may see a bit of decline in production - but not always.

I'd just provide them with fresh clean water daily. A nutritionally balanced poultry feed. If they are in a run all the time, limit treats like scratch to a few times a week, only give a little scratch. If you have weeds/veggies, thrown in some of those for them to pick at every now and again. I need to start a few jars, but I like to give mine sprouts when I can. I usually sprout Lentils but also have some Oats that sprout fairly well. It's easy to do and the girls seem to love them, it gives them something green and interesting.

 

[CrockChickens9]

Thank you for all the wonderful advice. Hopefully she’s just regulating and her shells will improve as the stress decreases. I guess only time will tell. I appreciate your time and support!