I bought 6 "ex battery" birds, and although the last 6 were fine, and five
of this lot are OK, I have a "thin or non-existant" shell layer. Sometimes,
there is a paper thin collapsed shell, sometimes it is just the yolk and
white sitting there.
The rest of the shells are very strong, I feed them layers mash (what IS the
water ratio?? I just make a porridge consistancy), they have plenty of
chicken grit, and for the last month, I have fed them all a triple strength
of Davinova C calcium additive. They also have "Barrier" brand red mite
dustings regularly (although the mites come back too quickly), plus 7 day
courses of flubenvet every couple of months. They have a large run, their
straw is always clean, and the coop gets blitzed with Jeye's fluid and a
quick run-round with a blowtorch...

"Jonathan" gmail.com> wrote in message
news:44c89eb6$1@newsgate.x-privat.org...

This is one of the main reasons these birds are culled after their 2nd
season
Its a genetic problem - the iindustry is working to improve the shell
quality during the commerical laying period but longevity is not something
they are expending resources on.
Its also a major cause of mortality for these birds as a weak shell will
crack inside the body, a MASSIVE infection sets up [egg peritonitis] and the
bird dies.
Often all that is seen is that the bird is off colour for a few days, has a
mucky backend and then is dead
However the suffering must be acute in those days

All teh feeding and additives in the world are not going to make a
difference

" Jill" NOSPAMkintaline.co.uk> wrote in message
news:44c8ad4e$0$936$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader01.plus.net...

Wow - thanks for the very detailed and full reply!

It's OK for now - they're laying a good 5 a day, and one thin shelled one.

Ahhh! That explains all the waste - it starts to smell "fermenting" after
about 4 hours in this heat.
But they just weren't touching it when dry. I guess I'll have to just let
them get hungry until they HAVE to eat it!

The pet shop said it needed to be mixed with water, but I'll try "dry"
again. It's "Spillers" brand.

Jonathan wrote:
, I feed them layers mash (what IS the

I would not feed wet mash in this weather. It will go rancid witho=in
hours. Try pellets instead.

Jonathan wrote:

I am horrified that you think this way. You have a duty to ensure you
provide good fox proof accommodation. The £1.50 chicken will suffer as
much pain and terror as the £25 one. Incidentally what are you
classing as a 'proper' chicken? Not many cost £25. I sell most of my
pure bred pullets for between £12 -15, but I would not sell to someone
who cobbles together the minimum required accommodation and isn't at
all interested in doing the best they can to keep their birds safe and
well. I suppose £6.99 on a book about how to keep chickens was too
much money for you. You simply cannot penny pinch in this way when it
comes to animal welfare. Either do the...

"Jonathan" gmail.com> wrote in message
news:44c8b9dd$2@newsgate.x-privat.org...

"Jonathan" gmail.com> wrote in message
news:44c8b9dd$2@newsgate.x-privat.org...

supposedly there is a method of identifying eggs to hens -- its not one I
have used!!! BUT
if you paint chook bottom with a food dye solution then in theory a smear of
the colour can get picked up by the egg as it comes out
?????

"roseyposey" btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:HP2dnd337NUeXFXZRVnytg@bt.com...

10 years ago, I would have said the same. I'm going to reply to the points
anyway, although this isn't really the forum for political debate.
So, take the questions to be rhetorical, feel free to answer them, but don't
expect a reply, otherwise it all gets messy and off-topic!

"Jonathan" gmail.com> wrote in message
news:44c91f84$1@newsgate.x-privat.org...

a globally envied health service

playing devils advocate in a very limited fashion

but we have more people living longer from birth to old age because we have
better technology to make it happen which costs a collosal amount of money
We have an organisation that is one of the biggest employers in the world
with most of the best practitioners in the world
This means the management at the bottom rungs of basic nursing and routine
surgery and General practise has to be perfect or its is perceived to be
flawed
The management is failing so while SO MUCH of our health service is OUT OF
THIS WORLD - the bits that impinge day to day week to week on the majority
is not doing the job it should

Jill wrote:

Lip-gloss? Lipstick, perhaps? Creamy eye shadow? They've been tested (probably
on animals) and found safe for human skin!

A L P