Abnormally thin shells, fragile yolks, watery albumen

[KayinVirginia]

I have fourteen Buff Orpington hens and a rooster. They are 15 months old. I am getting 9-10 eggs per day. The shells are extremely fragile, the yolks break too easily and increasingly I notice that the whites of the eggs are watery. I have always provided oyster shell, commercial layer feed and clean cool water. Lately I've been feeding them crushed egg shells. They go outside at will into a very large securely-fenced grassy pen. They look healthy but this problem of fragile eggs has been there from the start. It is getting worse, however. Occasionally I find an abnormally large egg. Anyone have any idea what is wrong with my Buffies? They are pets, but I do sell the eggs. Now my egg customers are disappearing, one by one.

 

[Judy]

This is the best writeup I have found on egg abnormalities:

http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/ep127.pdf

 

[Suziers]

Quote:
That was an amazing resource. Thank you.

 

[KayinVirginia]

Yes, ddawn that is an awesome resource. I've been studying it and I am not seeing an immediate solution to my problem, however. The suspects are 1. age of hens, 2. heat, 3. insufficient calcium, 4. heredity. I give them oyster shell, but they don't seem to eat it much. I don't use any chemicals in my yard. I'll read up on how to force a molt, but I'm reluctant because I've heard it's pretty hard on them.

 

[HennysMom]

what kind of feed are you giving them? Are you feeding any supplements to it (veggies, proteins, etc)? I feed my girls extra proteins in the means of their own eggs (hard boiled, scrambled), cottage cheese (they LOVE cottage cheese), and give them yogurt once a week as well (probiotics as well as calcium). I also feed them their eggs shells crushed up - but I scatter them about on the ground - they always eat them right away.

I had one girl recently that started giving me thin shelled eggs for about a week...and they all get free fed oyster shell as well. I discovered she was being forced out of the feeding for some reason as normally she was the top hen - but others were pushing her about, so I pulled her aside and hand fed her extra protein and calcium for a few days. She regained her strength and shells went back to being hard - and happy to report she's running the hen house once again

My girls also get a healthy dose of veggies, oats, and grains in addition to their pellets.

 

[KayinVirginia]

HennysMom, These are great suggestions. I'm not doing any of these things. I'm new at this. I am going out to buy some yogurt now. I have cottage cheese. Do you give the chickens raw rolled oats? Feeding them eggs is a terrific idea. I can't sell the eggs; I sometimes donate them to a homeless shelter. They always express great appreciation, but I don't know if they throw them away when I leave.

 

[HennysMom]

Quote:
If you buy yogurt - make sure it does not have artificial sweetners in it. I would suggest Stoneyfield Farms Plain (its organic and has the probiotics in it)

. Only give them about 1 tablespoon per bird - and about once a week at best, too much they get diarhea. Cottage cheese is okay, but not in excess; I have 6 birds and I give no more than 1 tablespoon per bird when I give it - and I usually mix it in with something like Quaker Quick cooking oats (raw), some bird seed, and some boiled egg cut up. They love it! Also, veggies and fruits that mine like are cucumbers, tomatos, squash, lettuce, watermelon, grapes (cut them up small though and seedless), plums, peaches, spinach (but not very much nor often, maybe once a month), kale, cooked carrots, mashed potatos, meat of any kind (except I dont feed them chicken, it just seems wrong

) fish they adore and steak..forget it - it'll be gone in 2 seconds flat! They also love peanut butter sandwhiches

You can also give them Apple Cider Vinegar (the kind with the "mother" in it) in their water - 1 tablespoon per gallon of water - it helps aid their digestion and to keep them healthy.

Why cant you sell the eggs - because of the egg shells being fragile? You should be able to sell your eggs - just so long as you dont market them as anything other than Farm Fresh Eggs for sale

I sell mine (as most on here do) without any issues to neighbors and people at hubby's work. They love our eggs!

 

[KayinVirginia]

"Why cant you sell the eggs - because of the egg shells being fragile?" I'm not sure why my egg customers have dropped off. Maybe they are suspicious of the egg quality because of the fragile shells and yolks, and the watery whites. The eggs are very good-tasting though, and I just charge $2.50 doz. Thanks for your input. You've been great.