Using liquid Calcium Citrate 1000mg

[klbrand]

I have an 8 month old cinnamon queen who has consistently been laying shell less eggs. Based on discussion of what I’ve been feeding her, it is likely due to too many treats and not calcium.
So I bought calcium citrate 1000mg in liquid form and I’m planning on adding it to the water supply.
But How much do I add? The direction on bottle says 2 Tablespoons. Is that too much?

 

[aart]

Based on discussion of what I’ve been feeding her, it is likely due to too many treats and not calcium.

Have you tried cutting out the treats instead of this calcium supplement?
Do your other birds have trouble with soft shells?
What all and how exactly are you feeding?

 

[klbrand]

Have you tried cutting out the treats instead of this calcium supplement?
Do your other birds have trouble with soft shells?
What all and how exactly are you feeding?

It’s only the one who is laying soft shell eggs. I only have 5 hens. Feeding a combination of layer feed with quinoa (with tablespoon of broccoli stems) along with fermented layer mash, and black oil sunflower seeds.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Cut out the treats, make sure they have the option of calcium supplements like oyster shell on the side, and if that doesn't help then get calcium citrate tablets. Only the bird with the issue should be dosed, not the others, and only while she's in lay. Too much calcium can gradually cause organ damage.

 

[klbrand]

Cut out the treats, make sure they have the option of calcium supplements like oyster shell on the side, and if that doesn't help then get calcium citrate tablets. Only the bird with the issue should be dosed, not the others, and only while she's in lay. Too much calcium can gradually cause organ damage.

So I cut out the treats for 2 days and my egg production is way down now! Only 1 egg today. I had been getting an average of 4 eggs a day. Don’t chickens need protein in the winter to produce eggs?

 

[rosemarythyme]

So I cut out the treats for 2 days and my egg production is way down now! Only 1 egg today. I had been getting an average of 4 eggs a day. Don’t chickens need protein in the winter to produce eggs?

Chickens need protein year round to produce eggs. What feed are you using? What's the protein %? Do you free feed or restrict feed?

Cutting treats for 2 days isn't going to change their overall nutrition unless you're not free feeding and not making up for the difference in calories cut. However it can be a minor stressor which could theoretically throw them off lay temporarily.

 

[klbrand]

Chickens need protein year round to produce eggs. What feed are you using? What's the protein %? Do you free feed or restrict feed?

Cutting treats for 2 days isn't going to change their overall nutrition unless you're not free feeding and not making up for the difference in calories cut. However it can be a minor stressor which could theoretically throw them off lay temporarily.

I feed them scratch & peck layer mash. Here’s a photo of the rubber egg I got 2 days ago.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I feed them scratch & peck layer mash. Here’s a photo of the rubber egg I got 2 days ago.

So is that 16% protein? Do you wet or ferment the feed, because the protein (and possibly the calcium) is in the powdery fines which may not get fully consumed if the feed isn't served wet.

Just from a quick look around the internet quinoa is maybe around 17% protein. You're not really adding much with that. You'd be better off with a 18-20% protein feed, no treats, calcium source like oyster shell on the side (provided this one chicken is willing to eat oyster shell). S&P grower is 17%, starter is 20.5%.

 

[klbrand]

So is that 16% protein? Do you wet or ferment the feed, because the protein (and possibly the calcium) is in the powdery fines which may not get fully consumed if the feed isn't served wet.

Just from a quick look around the internet quinoa is maybe around 17% protein. You're not really adding much with that. You'd be better off with a 18-20% protein feed, no treats, calcium source like oyster shell on the side (provided this one chicken is willing to eat oyster shell). S&P grower is 17%, starter is 20.5%.

I ferment a pint size jar in the morning on top of the dry layer feed. I was using grower feed but thought I was supposed to switch when they started laying eggs.
I do have oyster shells available at all times. Not sure what free feeding is. I’m not able to let them free range as I have dogs that will get them if I do. My dogs have already killed 9 of my chickens. So the current hens are in a secure chicken run

 

[rosemarythyme]

I ferment a pint size jar in the morning on top of the dry layer feed. I was using grower feed but thought I was supposed to switch when they started laying eggs.
I do have oyster shells available at all times. Not sure what free feeding is.

Good to know you're fermenting.

Main difference in most cases between grower and layer feed is calcium % (and I think with S&P the grower might be a little less processed as far as the grains being broken down... I've never tried the layer to compare). So yes you can feed grower (or even starter) to laying hens for better protein levels.

Free feeding simply means the birds have food available during all waking hours.