Egg without a shell

[Diana Nairn]

My hiline has been laying eggs without fail up till a month ago,her behaviour has changed,now she lays the eggs in the coop and they are shell -less and she allways used to go in her box to lay, I do give her shell grit? I have seen other people mention oyster shell grit, is this just a matter of crushing oyster shells?or can you buy it?and where from please, some one else recommended crushed cuttle fish. I give her good quality feed but I have also put barley and wheat in the mix.
Does ayone have any suggestions I would like to hear from you please.
Regards Diana from S.A.

 

[charlie rooster]

I also have hens and they have laid their first egg, which one out of 5 im not sure, but its not in the box. My dad grew up on a farm that stoped housing chickens in the 60's so his memory has lost that knowlege but he did mention cuttle or calcium pelets. as i am also new to byc i am glad to see your question before i could ask it and am awaiting a response to it , if i find out before you ill pass the answer on

 

[Dalubb]

My hiline has been laying eggs without fail up till a month ago,her behaviour has changed,now she lays the eggs in the coop and they are shell -less and she allways used to go in her box to lay, I do give her shell grit? I have seen other people mention oyster shell grit, is this just a matter of crushing oyster shells?or can you buy it?and where from please, some one else recommended crushed cuttle fish. I give her good quality feed but I have also put barley and wheat in the mix.
Does ayone have any suggestions I would like to hear from you please.
Regards Diana from S.A.

Yes I would recommend offering oyster shell to your hens, it is readily available at any store that sells feed. You should be feeding your hens a quality layer feed. Laying hens need calcium to produce the egg shell. If your hens are not laying in the nest box and previously were if could be do to lack of bedding or i have heard if your coop is not clean they could "lash" out and refuse to lay in there. My hens are free range I feed them a quality layer feed but also offer crushed oyster shell because the feed on other things in the yard.

 

[aart]

How old are they and where is S.A.?

 

[Diana Nairn]

My hens are 5-6 months old,and S.A is in Australia.