Crushed Eggs

[onthecoast386]

I have 4 barred rock chickens. They all look alike! They are a little over 1 year old. Starting about 4-6 weeks ago one started laying eggs that were broken or crushed with very thin shells.The rest of the eggs are perfect. Any ideas? I feed then layer pellets and oyster shells plus some scraps.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you mean that the eggs get broken and/or crushed in the nesting box because of thin shells?
Since you don't know which hen is laying the thin shelled eggs, give them all a look for lice/mites. Add poultry vitamins to the water once a week and limit treats to no more than 10% of daily intake.

IF you figure out which hen it is, then provide her with extra calcium for a week to see if that makes a difference. Thin shelled eggs can be from a number of things - vitamin/mineral deficiency, shell gland defect, disturbances, parasite infestations and history of respiratory disease are a few.

 

[onthecoast386]

Do you mean that the eggs get broken and/or crushed in the nesting box because of thin shells?
Since you don't know which hen is laying the thin shelled eggs, give them all a look for lice/mites. Add poultry vitamins to the water once a week and limit treats to no more than 10% of daily intake.

IF you figure out which hen it is, then provide her with extra calcium for a week to see if that makes a difference. Thin shelled eggs can be from a number of things - vitamin/mineral deficiency, shell gland defect, disturbances, parasite infestations and history of respiratory disease are a few.

Thanks for your help. Yes, this happens in the nesting box.

 

[Afrodigh]

I have the exact same problem! 4 Barred Rocks all laying normally except for one lady (haven’t been able to identify who). I’ve found 4 crushed eggs so far. The first two seemed very thin and were in the run. Now I’ve had two in the coop. Can tell if it’s fragile shell or someone picking at it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

View attachment 1458908
I have the exact same problem! 4 Barred Rocks all laying normally except for one lady (haven’t been able to identify who). I’ve found 4 crushed eggs so far. The first two seemed very thin and were in the run. Now I’ve had two in the coop. Can tell if it’s fragile shell or someone picking at it.

If it was someone picking at it, they would have eaten it once they discover egg inside

 

[snow5164]

Add a small handful of calcium to the layer... I’ve done this with calcium powered and it seemed to work. Also the heat that seems to be everywhere now can affect egg quality and production .... great news if they’re not eating it !! Because that’s another problem

 

[onthecoast386]

View attachment 1458908
I have the exact same problem! 4 Barred Rocks all laying normally except for one lady (haven’t been able to identify who). I’ve found 4 crushed eggs so far. The first two seemed very thin and were in the run. Now I’ve had two in the coop. Can tell if it’s fragile shell or someone picking at it.

I thought the same thing but I think the shells are thin.

 

[Afrodigh]

Add a small handful of calcium to the layer... I’ve done this with calcium powered and it seemed to work. Also the heat that seems to be everywhere now can affect egg quality and production .... great news if they’re not eating it !! Because that’s another problem

I’m in Nashville so it’s definitely been hot! I’ll try adding calcium to the feed. I’ve heard adding crushed egg shells to the feed works?

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have 4 barred rock chickens. They all look alike! They are a little over 1 year old. Starting about 4-6 weeks ago one started laying eggs that were broken or crushed with very thin shells.The rest of the eggs are perfect. Any ideas? I feed then layer pellets and oyster shells plus some scraps.

Is it hot?
In hot weather chickens eat a lot less feed, (we just went through 7 days of 90 plus, heat induces over a hundred).
To make strong shells hens need more than calcium. They also need the other nutrients in feed like vitamin D and Manganese.
This week I started to wet a small amount of feed, a 1/4 cup dry per hen. I added water from the fridge and made it very wet. They love it. .It helped to cool them off and they consume the nutrients needed for strong shells.
Don't add in Oyster Shells to the wet feed. Mine wouldn't eat it when I did.
I have dry feed available 24/7. GC

 

[snow5164]

Everyone does different things and at the time I had 6 birds laying soft shells, adding calcium to the feed was an easy way to see if that was the issue... and it was.

We have to decide what works for our flocks , you own them you are responsible for them . There are no black and white “don’t do this ever!”answers when working with living breathing creatures .... good luck and have fun