very fragile or non-existent shells

[all6mine]

I have six hens who have been laying for a year. I keep layer pellets available for them, but they free range across about 3500 sq ft yard. My calico princess has always laid huge eggs with relatively fragile shells. Recently, however, the shells have become extremely fragile, or even nonexistent. None of the other hens have this problem; their shells are all very solid. over the last few weeks, I have found many empty, paper-thin shells in a variety of places in or around the hen house. Yesterday, i collected a very large, relatively normal egg from her, but today this was her product. (see pic) No shell, no yolk, just membrane and viscous "white." Later, I found her sitting on another nest where a different hen has been raising chicks.

 

[all6mine]

wanted to send an update on the thin or sometimes non-existent shells with one of my hens...

Very pleased to report that the vitamin d3 supplement seemed to solve the issue nicely. Since I had 5000iu (125mcg) caps available, which are often recommended as 1x/wk dosing for humans, I chose to give one and repeat 4 days later. I have done nothing any differently, but have found no malformed eggs since. THANK YOU for the wonderful advice! I will just monitor and give if I notice shells in need.

 

[azygous]

Are all of the other hens laying good quality eggs? If it's only this one hen, targeted calcium therapy would be what I would suggest. Get some calcium citrate with D3 at your vitamin aisle, the same as women take for stronger bones. Give this hen one whole tablet each day directly into the beak for this next week. She will swallow easily. If the egg shells aren't solid by the end of the week, continue the calcium until the shells are just beginning to be peppered with calcium "warts".

 

[Wyorp Rock]

By the phrasing of what op is say that they mostly eat what they find but there's optional pellets around. I meant to add 'in the morning' to the end, just so they do eat more of their formulated food. Free ranging is great but not every environment is nutritionally fulfilling.

When I free ranged mine, shell quality was actually a bit better than when not, but yes, not every environment is nutritionally fulfilling. The bird usually will eat enough pellets to be of benefit though.

 

[rosemarythyme]

mmm, I don't know how to tag you @ https://www.backyardchickens.com/members/smiya0126.621341/ did that do it?

You use @ and then type the member name, no space in between. When done correctly it should pop up a confirmation that the member name is correct.

@all6mine

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Wyorp Rock @azygous antibiotic recommendation?

I used fish mox for mine, she was cured but hasn't laid after that. She's still alive, it's been a year and a half since she was sick.

Are all of the other hens laying good quality eggs? If it's only this one hen, targeted calcium therapy would be what I would suggest. Get some calcium citrate with D3 at your vitamin aisle, the same as women take for stronger bones. Give this hen one whole tablet each day directly into the beak for this next week. She will swallow easily. If the egg shells aren't solid by the end of the week, continue the calcium until the shells are just beginning to be peppered with calcium "warts".

I agree with @azygous I'd go with giving extra Calcium to see if that helps.
I see a soft shelled membrane, not really any indication of infection, so I don't think an antibiotic is needed.


Really Why? I wouldn't shut up birds that had access to yard/grass/greens/bugs (Real Food). They have a nutritionally balanced feed available; they will eat that too. Just because one hen is having issues...it happens even if they are locked up eating "real food=a.k.a layer pellets"...

keep them shut in their coop so they eat their real food.

 

[SmiYa0126]

Hi! How old is she? What are you feeding them?

 

[all6mine]

Hi! How old is she? What are you feeding them?

...been laying for a year. I keep layer pellets available for them, but they free range across about 3500 sq ft yard...

 

[SmiYa0126]

She may have an infection, is she lethargic at all? Heavy breathing? Poor appetite? What does her poo look like?

 

[all6mine]

maybe a bit less active ?? As they free range, and eat from a common feeder, I am unable to tell how much she is eating or about her poop. I will try isolating her today. What are your suggestions?