crunchy eggs

[Golden Girls 4]

Hi, I have 4 hens and they all lay eggs with calcium deposits. However the whiter eggs have more deposits and they have deposits in the eggs. When I cook them they have crunchy bits like sand. The egg shells themselves tend to be on the thinner side. How can I correct this? I've had several batches of chickens over the years but I've never had crunchy eggs...it's gross.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

If all of them have calcium deposits then it is likely a nutritional issue. What are you feeding them? Do they have free access to oyster shells?

 

[Golden Girls 4]

They eat a layer pellet, oyster shells are available and they free range.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

What layer pellets specifically?

 

[Golden Girls 4]

17% layer pellet. My husband works at the local feed mill.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Do you happen to have the nutrition break down of it? Also, doing about a week of calcium citrate + d3 would be a good idea if it is a case of low calcium. How quickly would you say they go through their oyster shells? I did forget to ask but how old are they?

 

[Golden Girls 4]

0.5% phosphorus
1.5min 4.5%max Calcium

They are about 2 years old. I'm not sure how long it takes them to go thru oyster shells. In the summer they free range mostly. But the calcium deposits and the grit inside the egg happened all winter also.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

1.5 min is low for a layer pellet. For reference I feed DuMOR 16% Layer pellets which has 3.5 min and 4.5 max calcium. Do you have a picture of the grit inside of the eggs?

 

[Golden Girls 4]

The grit inside the egg is unseen but when I'm eating my eggs there crunchy pieces like sand.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Is it possible then that the grit inside your eggs are something you added to them while cooking?