Thin shelled eggs

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Lady Watcher

Lady Watcher

Chirping
Dec 18, 2016
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I have a hen who is getting picked on and has thin shelled eggs. I also notice she likes to nest when she doesn't even have to lay. I read that if one hen is getting picked on that usually means she's lacking something. I gave them oyster shells, but today I went out to a broken egg, so I don't think they're helping. If you were wondering what we feed them, it's called Texas Naturals.
 
Lady Watcher said:
I have a hen who is getting picked on and has thin shelled eggs. I also notice she likes to nest when she doesn't even have to lay. I read that if one hen is getting picked on that usually means she's lacking something. I gave them oyster shells, but today I went out to a broken egg, so I don't think they're helping. If you were wondering what we feed them, it's called Texas Naturals.
Click to expand...

She probably stays in the nest to keep from being picked on. Did this just start? How long have you had her compared to the rest? Does she have any wounds they are pecking on?
 
PD-Riverman said:
She probably stays in the nest to keep from being picked on. Did this just start? How long have you had her compared to the rest? Does she have any wounds they are pecking on?
Click to expand...
It's been happening for like 2 months, but recently has been worse. I've had her and her 5 siblings for about 10 months. She currently doesn't have any wounds, but recently has had blood on her comb. I also think they've bit some of her comb off before.
 
Grower feed or layer feed?
Any other foods given?
Lots of space in coop and run to reduce stress?
How old is she?
What breed?
 
I can help with the egg problem. You should feed your flock oyster shells to help boost the calcum level as a supplment. If you want you can feed them yogurt (plain greek yogurt helps so that the yogurt is not flying every where), it helps to boost their immune with the probiotics and gives them calcuim. If they do not seem interested in the yogurt then sprinkle some of their fav treats on top of the yogurt (just not mealworms since there will some chickens that are not going to get some) and then they will get the treats as well as some yogurt. Sorry I have gone a little off track but the yogurt and the oyster shells will help with the soft shelled eggs.
 
aart said:
Grower feed or layer feed?
Any other foods given?
Lots of space in coop and run to reduce stress?
How old is she?
What breed?
Click to expand...
FarmerGirl101 said:
I can help with the egg problem. You should feed your flock oyster shells to help boost the calcum level as a supplment. If you want you can feed them yogurt (plain greek yogurt helps so that the yogurt is not flying every where), it helps to boost their immune with the probiotics and gives them calcuim. If they do not seem interested in the yogurt then sprinkle some of their fav treats on top of the yogurt (just not mealworms since there will some chickens that are not going to get some) and then they will get the treats as well as some yogurt. Sorry I have gone a little off track but the yogurt and the oyster shells will help with the soft shelled eggs.
Click to expand...
Layer feed is given to them with oyster shells. They have loads of room to run/fly. She's about 10-11 months old.
 
Last edited:
Lady Watcher said:
Quote:
Layer feed is given to them with oyster shells. They have loads of room to run/fly. She's about 10-11 months old.
Click to expand...
Do you feed any other foods?
Oyster shells mixing into layer feed or in a separate container?
Is she getting enough to eat with the picking on?
How much in feet by feet is 'loads of room'?
How many bird total and have they always lived together??
Click to expand...
 
aart said:
Do you feed any other foods?
Oyster shells mixing into layer feed or in a separate container?
Is she getting enough to eat with the picking on?
How much in feet by feet is 'loads of room'?
How many bird total and have they always lived together??
Click to expand...
1.Safflower seeds. 2.mixed with the layer feed. 3.Yes she eats a lot. 4. 20x16 cut in half 10x8 5. She lives with her 5 sisters. (Think that answers that.)
 
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I am having a problem with my chickens laying thin shelled eggs, It might be their age as they are coming two years. They always have free choice oyster shell,, grit as well as lime stone grit. They get lots of greens and fruit. They are also fed a 18% layer pellet. I give them a small amount of scratch about every second day. They have big outdoor runs but I do not free range them as I have a lot of predators in the area where I live,, eagles, hawk, coyotes, etc etc etc. I pick them a huge amount of green grass everyday and they clean it all up, They break eggs everyday when they get off the nests after laying. Any suggestions.
 
What sort of greens are you feeding them? Some greens like spinach and chard have calcium blockers and if the chickens consume a lot, they will not be able to absorb calcium as well as they should.

If this isn't the source of the problem, it may be age, although age two isn't really old. I have hens seven years old still laying with no problems.

However, you can try supplementing with calcium citrate. It's people calcium and it has the minerals necessary for good absorption. It usually solves egg shell issues in just a few days of one half to a full tablet per day per hen. When I give it to a hen, I smash the pill into powder and sprinkle it over grated carrot or conseal the quartered pill bits in peanut butter.
 

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