egg shells soft and weak

[barryjf]

One hen's eggs are getting more and more fragile--soft and weak shells. The egg is often smashed by her sitting or another hen sitting on it.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Are you feeding your hens crushed oyster shell or other calcium supplement? Seems like you need to from your description.

 

[GuppyTJ]

I agree with Capricorn, if you aren't already, give them oyster shell free choice. In other words, free choice means put it in a separate bowl and let them eat it whenever they choose.

Are you feeding them 16% layer rations? That's what hens need to lay well and lay eggs with solid shells.

Another idea... feed them back their own CRUSHED up egg shells. They must be crushed up. Just crunch them down with your hand is good enough. Crushing the shells makes them not look like eggs as you never want your chickens to think of eggs as food. Chickens are very sight oriented so just make the shells look not like the same eggs they lay.

If that doesn't work... google "chicken illnesses that produce soft shells" or search for that term here in Backyard Chickens. There are several illnesses that cause this.

Hope this helps,
Guppy

 

[barryjf]

Are you feeding your hens crushed oyster shell or other calcium supplement? Seems like you need to from your description.

Yes, we give them crushed egg shells and oyster shell, as well as flax seed.

 

[barryjf]

I agree with Capricorn, if you aren't already, give them oyster shell free choice. In other words, free choice means put it in a separate bowl and let them eat it whenever they choose.

Are you feeding them 16% layer rations? That's what hens need to lay well and lay eggs with solid shells.

Another idea... feed them back their own CRUSHED up egg shells. They must be crushed up. Just crunch them down with your hand is good enough. Crushing the shells makes them not look like eggs as you never want your chickens to think of eggs as food. Chickens are very sight oriented so just make the shells look not like the same eggs they lay.

If that doesn't work... google "chicken illnesses that produce soft shells" or search for that term here in Backyard Chickens. There are several illnesses that cause this.

Hope this helps,
Guppy

We do give them good organic layer food, and we give them the crushed egg shells, oyster shells and flax seed. I'll Google it. Thanks

 

[lazy gardener]

Try giving them a good multi-vitamin. If other nutrients are lacking, Calcium can't be metabolized.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

How old is she?

Gary

 

[Bogtown Chick]

You might try eliminating the flax seed. There is some thought that oilier seeds bind with calcium creating a 'soap' if you will and calcium absorption stops there.

I have a hen laying soft shell or rubber eggs right now. They've been getting a lot of scratch lately too. I've added boss to it as they like those seeds but I see now I'm not doing my egg production any favors...

Here's the study or info I found on that:

http://nilesanimalhospital.com/files/2012/05/Calcium-Phosphorus-and-Vitamin-D3-Imbalances.pdf

Game plan for my hen:
Formulated feed, oyster shell, merrick's blue ribbon in the water founts.

 

[NewChickmom2016]

I have an Easter Egger who has always layed soft shelled eggs. The other 2 in the flock have great shells - so doubt it is the food, oyster shells, their own shells dried and given back to them. I have given my EE some calcium with vit D and that seemed to help. I started giving her Big Ole Bird on a bit of bread for the past few days - her egg looked fantastic this morning - I need to crack it and see if the shell is thicker as I think it is!
-Jerie