Too much calcium

[Wyorp Rock]

Hey Y’all. I’ve owned chickens for about 3 years now and I had my first one stop laying. She never laid very often but never showed signed of poor health or anything. I noticed recently she is panting and her comb is very dark red. I’m thinking she’s getting too much calcium. I have her eating oats and low calcium fruits and will get her started on chick feed tomorrow. Any tips for helping her get back on her feet? She is doing better now that she’s eating oats and her stool is way less watery, i’m just considered about the panting and labored breathing.

She hasn’t laid in quite some time, at least a few months, she’s three years old.
She normally eats laying crumbles with the occasional veggie scraps or scratch. It’s not very hot where we are, if anything this is the coolest it’s been all year.
I do have some chick feed for her tomorrow but she has only had oats one other time, so it should be okay, thank you for the info!

Can you post photos of her and her poop?

It sounds like she may be struggling with some reproductive problems, perhaps she's having a hard time expelling an egg or lash material. Hard to know.

What does her crop feel like?

I'd still feed her a nutritionally balanced poultry feed. Chick Starter is o.k. or her normal layer feed.

When she does lay eggs, are they normal?

 

[chickpeatay]

Can you post photos of her and her poop?

It sounds like she may be struggling with some reproductive problems, perhaps she's having a hard time expelling an egg or lash material. Hard to know.

What does her crop feel like?

I'd still feed her a nutritionally balanced poultry feed. Chick Starter is o.k. or her normal layer feed.

When she does lay eggs, are they normal?

she hasn’t laid eggs in a very long time. She laid a few that were very small and not super often, maybe a few a week? it’s been about 6 months since she’s laid but she didn’t have any issues until this week. Her crop and everything feels normal. I’ll get a picture of her her poop in the mornin.

When I went to take a picture just now she looks MUCH better, she hasn’t been offered layered feed today and she’s not panting and her comb is looking more normal. It’s still a little more red than I would like but much better than what it was. I think it’s definitely the feed.

 

[Eggcessive]

I doubt that the layer feed is a problem. But if you switch to chick feed or an all flock feed, I would provide the crushed oyster shell in a separate pan. She probably is laying internally, and that can lead to salpingitis, egg yolk peritonitis, and ascites (water belly.) Keep a watch on how her crop is emptying, and that she is eating. I agree, don’t feed oats. A balanced chicken feed is best, and egg makes a good treat occasionally.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

A hen of her age is more likely to be prone to reproductive problems, particularly one with her history of spotty laying. It's not due to anything you've done or not done.

 

[Clukcluks]

I'm in my 2nd week of clucking with my 5girls. Since day 1, they have made great advances with their new home, bedtime 7pm auto door closes at 8pm,opens at 6am their out an eating breakfast (layer pellets) an treats (scratch). I have retrieved 4eggs so far, 2white and 2brown ,they look and act happy and stress free.
There's been alot of talk about Calcium. When do they need it and how much do I give them??

 

[BigBlueHen53]

How much scratch are you giving them? It and other treats sd not be more tha 10% of their diet. Think of it as candy.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

There's been alot of talk about Calcium. When do they need it and how much do I give them

If you are feeding layer pellets and their eggs look normal, they're probably getting enough. To be certain, provide oyster shell in a separate vessel. Those that need it will help themselves. If you start getting soft or shell-less eggs, start a separate thread and we'll help you.

 

[Clukcluks]

How much scratch are you giving them? It and other treats sd not be more tha 10% of their diet. Think of it as candy.

I only just learned about the scratch being a treat. So I just started to feel like a small amount (a hand full) before bedtime is ok. or

 

[Clukcluks]

If you are feeding layer pellets and their eggs look normal, they're probably getting enough. To be certain, provide oyster shell in a separate vessel. Those that need it will help themselves. If you start getting soft or shell-less eggs, start a separate thread and we'll help you.

FMI ONLY y a separate thread. Am I in the wrong place/thread. JA

 

[Clukcluks]

If you are feeding layer pellets and their eggs look normal, they're probably getting enough. To be certain, provide oyster shell in a separate vessel. Those that need it will help themselves. If you start getting soft or shell-less eggs, start a separate thread and we'll help you.

I made this yesterday from store bought eggs. Is it look OK