Do "rough" eggshells indicate a deficiency?

[KrisRose]

There is calcium in layer feed, however I don't think the extra eggshells you give them is a problem.

 

[vermontgal]

This thread is helpful. My favorite pullet Liz (and first to lay) has been laying most of her eggs with some extra whitish deposits on the brown shell. She's a BR. She is now up to egg #5 and all but one of them have had these extra deposits. Egg #3 was totally smooth, but I know it was hers because I watched her lay it.

She is a super-foodie, so she is a chunky chicken. I was a little worried about her laying, because I've read that "fat" chickens are likely to have egg laying problems.

Should I try to restrict her feed? (Difficult as long as she is in the coop with everyone else, including my other BR who is sort of scrawny.)

Here's the pics of Liz's eggs, with the extra deposits.

 

[BeckyLa]

I have no idea if the eggshells you feed have anything to do with the problem, but I always put the extra calcium (oyster shell in my case) in a separate feeder so they can eat it when they need it. By putting it in the feed they will eat it whether they need it or not.

 

[KrisRose]

Vermontgal- Are you sure those are all Liz's eggs? The wide variation in color makes me think that you have eggs from different hens. The all over sandpaper is when the egg is too long in the hen wheras extra calcium is deposited in clumps. I'm sure there are exceptions to this

.
Superfoodie, how funny,

. If she just started laying it is surprizing that she's chunky already. They grow so fast that all their eats should go for growth. My SLW is build like a brick house but she is an older hen. She dosn't have any problem laying.
MHO is that I would'nt restrict her feed. She's not having a problem laying. Just hope

for an early spring so your hens can get out and exercise more.
I have a problem with thin shells even in the middle of winter. I use oyster shell, I mix it in their feed, and they pick around it

.

 

[vermontgal]

Is extra calcium a problem??

KrisRose, Sorry I should have pointed out the names on the bottom - 4 of those are Liz's eggs. 2 are Sarah's and 1 is Sam's. This is my chart from my first 6 days of egg-laying, to help me learn to identify who has laid which egg. Liona, my Easter Egger, has yet to come online (hoping for Green!).

I think Liz is getting extra calcium just because she is a foodie and has been eating layer food. Is there a different type of feed I can use (maybe flock raiser?) and let them eat take calcium supplements (shells or oyster) separately? Or maybe I'll get them Adora Chocolate calcium like I take.

 

[HorseFeathers]

Quite the contrary. they are extra calcium.

 

[KrisRose]

I see-Duh!!- should have read the names

.
I would just keep her on layer feed. If she is doing find and the other hens have access to the food then I would'nt worry about the extra calcium deposits on the shells.

 

[Ebar]

Could all of this be from molting, I have a lot of issues with my eggs right now and they are losing feathers, hopefully they regain them before it gets cold?

 

[aart]

Could all of this be from molting, I have a lot of issues with my eggs right now and they are losing feathers, hopefully they regain them before it gets cold?

@Ebar Welcome to BYC!

This is a very old thread about calcium....but....to answer your question:

Yes, molting can cause some funky eggs.
Most birds don't lay when molting, but just before and just after the molt the eggs can be strange just like with a new layer.
During molt it's good to give them some extra protein to help grow new feathers faster.

Starting a new thread with details pics about the age of your birds and the problem eggs might garner you more input.

 

[Ebar]

Thanks I was beginning to worry, couldn't find anything else wrong