Change in older hen's eggs

[Happy Chooks]

I have a 2 1/2 year old Production Red that all of a sudden has started laying thin shelled eggs. (plenty of oyster shell available) She has always laid eggs with strong shells until now. If I tap the shell at the pointy end with my fingernail, it cracks. I've also noticed her egg production has slacked off, she's laying 3 a week now.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is this the start of problems, like internal laying? She's fine otherwise, healthy, runs around, comes for treats, eating fine, etc.

 

[MarinMama]

terry on hencam actually just blogged about this about her older chicks. what she found was that her chicks were eating too many treats and not enough of the chicken feed that had the nutrients they need. when she took them off treats her egg shells got much stronger.

http://www.hencam.com/henblog/2011/07/thin-shelled-eggs-old-hens-and-the-miracle-diet-cure/

 

[Happy Chooks]

Thanks for trying, but she's been without treats also and the eggs are the same.

 

[Judy]

I hope it's not internal laying!

Speckledhen, on another thread, just suggested giving a Tums a day, that that's similar to what a vet would do (a calcium injection,) as an additional calcium boost.

Have you seen this link? I keep finding new stuff in it: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/1/egg-quality-handbook/11/egg-defects

I hope this turns out well for you.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Thanks Judy.

Her's mostly resemble the star cracks, which it says can be caused by age.

 

[speckledhen]

Well, not a Tums a day, just an emergency Tums once or twice when egg binding or sudden onset of thin shelled eggs happens. Kelly, yes, a Production Red of that age is probably starting up with egg issues, but extreme need for water and a molt will contribute to thin shelled eggs as well.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Thanks Cyn! Good to know needing to molt can cause it too. (there's plenty of water, but it is hot out) I'll be looking to see what happens after she molts.

In the meantime, how do you give the tums? Crush it up with food?

 

[speckledhen]

I crush it up and stir into a couple tablespoons of plain yogurt. I'm treating one hen now like that now.