Cull soft shelled egg-layer?

[ellahere]

I have an older copper Maran hen called tatsie, who is now perhaps 3 years old and is head of the flock. She was bitten badly by a dog some months ago but has bounced back into health since. For the last 2 weeks her eggs have been soft shelled. Should I cull her? She lays well and eats layers pellets but the eggs are so soft they are just like paper and mess the nest box. What to do?!

 

[GitaBooks]

I've had a few hens like that. They lay shelless or soft shelled eggs. It could just be she is having more trouble getting all the calcium she needs. Does she have oyster shells available? You could try grinding up egg shells and cooking them in scrambled eggs to offer extra vitamins, protein and calcium. I would not cull her just yet, though I know how irritating dirty nest boxes are. I had an egg eater and all my eggs got covered in gunk. We got rid of her and the boxes have been cleaner (not quite clean

) since.

Best of luck!