Consistent soft shelled egg

[cicknmama]

I have one hen who has of late been laying soft shelled eggs. I have recently raised 8 pullets and a Cockrell and added them to my flock. A couple weeks ago I integrated my flock and at that time changed my feed to an "all flock". I supply oyster shell and once or twice a week crush their shells and add it to a yummy mash that I make for them. Since then my black sex link has been mostly laying soft shelled eggs. The rest of the hens seem to be fine with the feed change and eggs look fine. What can I do to help this one hen without giving the pullets to much calcium? Today I added ACV to the water in case it's an absorption problem...anything else I can do?

 

[VinceRusso]

Try crushing some of the shells and add them to their water supply. I had one bird whom preferred to eat clover all the time and did not go for the egg layer feed much (which was their only source of calcium at that time) and she produced soft shells. I added crushed shells to the water and that stopped the soft shells. I believe that all the shells increased in hardness so that's a regular part of their feeding regime now. Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[cicknmama]

Try crushing some of the shells and add them to their water supply. I had one bird whom preferred to eat clover all the time and did not go for the egg layer feed much (which was their only source of calcium at that time) and she produced soft shells. I added crushed shells to the water and that stopped the soft shells. I believe that all the shells increased in hardness so that's a regular part of their feeding regime now. Hope this helps and good luck.

I had actually thought of that. But will that be bad for my 12 week old pullets?

 

[laceychicken]

No, it will not hurt your 12 week olds. Actually good for them. I always cook or boil mine for 5 minutes. I put the egg shells covered with water through the blender to chop them up fine. Put water and shells in a pan and bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Use the cooled water (strained) for your garden and put some of the cooled egg shells out daily with their food. Either egg shells daily or oyster shells are a must. Calcium extremely important for your hens' health. The membrane inside the shell is very nutritious for them also. The blender chops everything up beautifully.

 

[cicknmama]

No, it will not hurt your 12 week olds. Actually good for them. I always cook or boil mine for 5 minutes. I put the egg shells covered with water through the blender to chop them up fine. Put water and shells in a pan and bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Use the cooled water (strained) for your garden and put some of the cooled egg shells out daily with their food. Either egg shells daily or oyster shells are a must. Calcium extremely important for your hens' health. The membrane inside the shell is very nutritious for them also. The blender chops everything up beautifully.

Thanks for the info. Could I use my coffee grinder instead. It will make a powder. Will that work in the water? And how much per gallon?

 

[Messipaw]

Hi. I'm having the same issue here. Are you suggesting to add oyster shells to their water bowl! The oyster shells won't dissolve - will they? Please explain I would love some positive results. Thank you

 

[cicknmama]

Hi. I'm having the same issue here. Are you suggesting to add oyster shells to their water bowl! The oyster shells won't dissolve - will they? Please explain I would love some positive results. Thank you

I was going to grind my egg shells into powder then add it to their water dish. If you are feeding a layer with calcium added already, it might be an absorption problem. If that's the case I have read here that putting ACV in the water helps that.

 

[Messipaw]

So I should add ACV and ground up egg shells into their water?

 

[cicknmama]

So I should add ACV and ground up egg shells into their water?

That's what I'm going to try. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Messipaw]

OK Thank you. I'm trying that as well. Let me know.