Eggs brittle and yolks falling apart

[redinator]

For the folks that refeed eggshells, do you just crush them vs powder them? Do you bake them first in the oven for a bit? Do you combine them with the oyster shells?

I give both oyster shell free choice and toss the egg shells in the yard whenever I use eggs for cooking. I just give them quick rinse to remove the yolk so it doesn't attract flies and other critters. Depending on the amount of egg shells I have I might crush them so everybody has a chance to get some, but they're more than capable of breaking them up if needed.

 

[BDutch]

. I think the calcium issue for roosters would be from long term feeding.

Yes. If you keep them to eat them layer is no problem. If you want him to get old it is.

For the folks that refeed eggshells, do you just crush them vs powder them? Do you bake them first in the oven for a bit? Do you combine them with the oyster shells?

I put them in the microwave for 30 seconds and if they are cold cut them with scissors.

I started to give my hens more choice in feed some time ago. I give layer as well as chick feed in separate bowls/feed stations. + always oyster shells on the side.
The chickens seem to know what they need.

 

[bravecoconut]

For the folks that refeed eggshells, do you just crush them vs powder them? Do you bake them first in the oven for a bit? Do you combine them with the oyster shells?

I keep a disposable roasting pan that I put egg shells in. Once it is full, I bake on low (200°F) just to dry them completely out. Then I use a mortar and pestle the crush them. They are in small pieces but definitely not powder, more like crumble. I have three different calcium dispensers, one for the egg shells, one for flake oyster shells, and one for ground ground oyster shells and then another dispenser with grit. My girls get kalmbach chick all flock free choice and then I ferment kalmbach henhouse reserve with extras like chia, flax, and hemp hearts. I have two adult roosters, one juvenile rooster, five pullets, eleven hens, and one grandma that doesn't lay anymore but fusses at everyone. I get five to nine eggs a day. I definitely don't think your feed is an issue because I feed the same and am getting plenty of good eggs. I have noticed some of my girls prefer the egg shells and some prefer the oyster flake. The ground oyster seems to always be their last choice. I hope this eases your mind a bit about the feed at least.

 

[Carontheroad]

I’ve had chickens for years but can’t remember such poor quality of eggs. The shells are very soft. They are still hard shells but basically fall apart when you open them. Also the yolks break immediately, they seem to not have any structure.

I live in Vermont. Cold, dark days. I get about 2 eggs from 15 hens. I don’t mind and don’t expect eggs in the winter. But when I get them, I’m surprised at the poor quality.

I feel them Kalmbach 20% flock maker both the pellets and a container of the crumbles. They have access to oyster shells and I give them extra protein like meal worms, catfood and mackeral (not often but one of those maybe every 2-3 days. I have a rooster as well as a few Cochins along with my hardier. barnyard mix. They are all under two years old.

Any suggestions to really help boost the toughness of the shell and yolk? I feel like I’m missing something in their diet. The feed is supposed to have everything to support the chickens so I’m just not sure what’s wrong.

You could try decreasing the protein treats to weekly or stop them altogether for a week or 2 and see what happens. Even though they are healthy treats they may be causing an imbalance. Like you said, the feed is supposed to have everything the hens needs. Who knows what they put in cat food. Are you talking dry or wet food? Sorry if that is a stupid question, I’ve never used it on my hens. Either way, it’s processed and designed for cats so could be disrupting their nutrition?

 

[Lulu-vt]

Yes. If you keep them to eat them layer is no problem. If you want him to get old it is.

I put them in the microwave for 30 seconds and if they are cold cut them with scissors.

I started to give my hens more choice in feed some time ago. I give layer as well as chick feed in separate bowls/feed stations. + always oyster shells on the side.
The chickens seem to know what they need.

I used to bake and reseed egg shells. But I’ve read that the chickens don’t absorb as much calcium from them as the oyster shells. So I don’t do it anymore. I prefer them in my compost for next years soil additive

 

[kattabelly]

I've never done anything with egg shells other than sometimes either smack the half shells on a fence post or gently crush them under my foot, to break them up a bit more.

 

[BDutch]

I used to bake and reseed egg shells. But I’ve read that the chickens don’t absorb as much calcium from them as the oyster shells. So I don’t do it anymore. I prefer them in my compost for next years soil additive

It’s the other way around. The type of Calcium in eggshells is exactly what chickens need to make egg shells. Egg shells are easier to digest the calcium.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Threonine is the key amino acid involved in membrane formation - make for firmer, more resilient eggs (not shells - that's primarily Calcium, though Phosphorus has a role in how effectively chickens use Calcium). Unfortunately, Threonine isn't required to be disclosed on feed labels. Apart from animal proteins, the best sources for threonine are going to be another animal protein (cottage cheese), soy, lentils.

I'm not sure if you are the poster feeding Organic, but lots of organic feeds are soy free, which can make it very difficult to get a good nutritional profile w/o using a lot of animal proteins and making the feed even more expensive. and because it doesn't appear on the label, you don't know what you aren't getting.

 

[Carontheroad]

I used to bake and reseed egg shells. But I’ve read that the chickens don’t absorb as much calcium from them as the oyster shells. So I don’t do it anymore. I prefer them in my compost for next years soil additive

That rings true to me because even in garden compost I’ve read that it takes years to break down to the point that the calcium is extracted. Some garden experts say if you want to use it in the garden then powder the eggshells and then soak them in vinegar.

 

[Carontheroad]

Threonine is the key amino acid involved in membrane formation - make for firmer, more resilient eggs (not shells - that's primarily Calcium, though Phosphorus has a role in how effectively chickens use Calcium). Unfortunately, Threonine isn't required to be disclosed on feed labels. Apart from animal proteins, the best sources for threonine are going to be another animal protein (cottage cheese), soy, lentils.

I'm not sure if you are the poster feeding Organic, but lots of organic feeds are soy free, which can make it very difficult to get a good nutritional profile w/o using a lot of animal proteins and making the feed even more expensive. and because it doesn't appear on the label, you don't know what you aren't getting.

That’s interesting. I don’t buy organic feed but I do buy Non GMO feed and specifically hunted down one that did not contain soy or corn since my understanding is the majority of soy and corn is GMO. I have read other posts that say soy is important but never heard the reason for it. Our eggs get rave reviews so far but I’ll put this info under my hat.