Odd egg layed ? Cause

[LateBirdFarms]

I believe you’re correct. From what i’ve heard from my personal vet and other chicken keepers is that scratch should never be a part of their daily nutritional intake. they shouldn’t be consuming more than 10% of their daily food intake in scratch. i feed mine a little more scratch than usual in the winter, right before bedtime to help them stay warm in the coop. but even a pellet specifically made for laying hens sometimes doesn’t have enough calcium. offer them oyster shell. they know when they need it! mine especially LOVE their old egg shells. i save them from when i eat their eggs and feed it back to them as smaller pieces. you would think i’m throwing candy to them. it’s crazy!

My confusion over the scratch is mostly out of my uncertainty about American brands and labeling. My feed store bags are never as pretty or inviting as the American ones, so without seeing the description or the actual mix, I'm reluctant to weigh in
Scratch around my place is an evening staple in the winter, usually mixed with a bit higher cracked corn than most would suggest, but just a handful goes miles in keeping those little furnaces running efficiently in a coop when the nighttime temps are below -15c. But it's not something I would ever suggest feeding as a daily ration unless in a dire situation where nothing else is available.

 

[LateBirdFarms]

How old is your hen, by the way, that's having the laying issues?

 

[MandS]

Hi

I had more or less exactly the same thing. See the link:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/very-strange-egg-is-there-anything-to-worry-about.1305983/

Peggy is still laying (just started again after a 3 month break. She lays sometimes daily, sometimes every other day, but occasionally she lays a shell-less egg. This is nothing to do with her lack of calcium. She gets oyster shell and her pellets have added calcium. I was toled that it can be their inability to utilise it which can then end up with strange things - the egg with a tail being one, soft eggs being another.

Other than that, she is fine. Just keep a lookout for any egg that has not had a strong enough shell and has broken inside her. Unlikely but always worth just keeping in mind.

Hope that helps.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

View attachment 2465986View attachment 2465988View attachment 2465990The first one is alternated with the second when not available i prefer the second

Thank you for the photos.
I understand sometimes it's hard to source feed, but if you can provide the layer feed free choice during waking hours that would be the best thing to do.
Try to find some oyster shell and make it available free choice as well. This will help supplement calcium.
The scratch is o.k. to give, but I would use it as a treat instead of a complete feed. From what I can find from the manufacturer it's around 12% protein so it's a bit shy on that. Your layer is 18% protein which is good.

I think with them eating mostly layer feed and by providing oyster shell, you will start to see shell quality improvement.

 

[aart]

There’s no calcium at all in that layer mix- that’s probably a cause of your problem.

It is odd that no calcium percentage is listed, even on the website.
https://www.petbarn.com.au/peckish-performance-poultry-layer-mix-18kg

Looks like it's for younger birds:
" Suitable for all breeds of laying hens from 18-20 weeks "

 

[micknapp]

It is odd that no calcium percentage is listed, even on the website.
https://www.petbarn.com.au/peckish-performance-poultry-layer-mix-18kg

Looks like it's for younger birds:
" Suitable for all breeds of laying hens from 18-20 weeks "

I read that, too. I’ve never seen a feed specifically for 18-20wk birds. LOL. I didn’t even know that existed. I really think things should improve almost immediately after giving extra calcium!!! I had one of those eggs after a hen got attacked by a hawk and i switched to feeding her high protein all flock & gave no calcium. turns out she felt well enough to lay an egg... without a shell. but as soon as i gave calcium she laid a strong shell the next day!

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Scratch is a treat only. You will have unhealthy chickens and terrible eggs if you feed scratch regularly. I have a bucket full in my basement that I use for treats only.

Get "All Flock" or "Layer Pellets".

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I read that, too. I’ve never seen a feed specifically for 18-20wk birds. LOL. I didn’t even know that existed.

Read the feeding instructions. It's not specifically for 18-20 week old birds only

It says 18-20 weeks onward. The definition of Onward is below.

 

[aart]

It says 18-20 weeks onward. The definition of Onward is below.

Just realized I misread....but still no calcium listed is weird.

 

[micknapp]

Just realized I misread....but still no calcium listed is weird.

misread it too. guess i can’t read