Eggs with no shells (new layers)

[C Siena]

Smaller size? Hit hem with hammer if you must

That's what I do/did. Now they are eating some of the larger chunks. Flakes cost a lot more.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

That's what I do/did. Now they are eating some of the larger chunks. Flakes cost a lot more.

Guess I’ll try this when I get through the box of flakes. I think that a cloth bag (burlap?) will be indicated. And maybe my chemistry lab goggles.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I was looking for flaked oyster shell and all I can find around me is crushed. I tried the hammer. I will keep hunting.

I can only find it online. It's a bit pricier, but it lasts a long time.

Oyster flakes when broken (as it is in layers). Is there a reason you need flaked? Special needs chickens?

I suggested it. My old flock did not care for traditional oyster shell, and for whatever reason, the flakes are a lot more appealing. Almost like how kids prefer dinosaur shaped nuggets? No idea.

 

[Sstonewolf]

I found that a patio mister helps keep mine cooler. We’re in Michigan, so not as hot as Texas, but it’s been a scorcher up here this year. Lots of 90°+ days and high humidity. Our ladies have been laying less because of that, so they’re definitely heat stressed. We lost a couple a few years ago because of the heat and made some changes to combat the heat.

The mister is about 30ft long and we put it on the yard fence near the run and the fence of their run, “L” shaped. It’s fairly well shaded in that area, which does help. Keeps them a bit cooler and the ground isn’t as hot. We turn it on during the hottest part of the day when the temps soar.

We also let them free range more because the run is in a corner of the yard. The air doesn’t circulate as well. We’re in the process of designing a new coop and run with a larger, more rectangular run (it’s currently square) and a roof over the run. We’re hoping that the new layout will help with circulation. We also keep an old stand fan in the run to make sure the air moves.

That may help with heat stress if that’s part of the oroblem. All the calcium tips are great. We also make ice rings with silicone cake rings, put in fly larvae, a little grain, and a bit of fruit. They like that. A little extra fluids and treats.

 

[kambrydlynn]

Oyster flakes when broken (as it is in layers). Is there a reason you need flaked? Special needs chickens?

They just don’t seem to like the size of the crushed oyster shells. Someone told me flaked is smaller and easier for them to eat.

 

[kambrydlynn]

I found that a patio mister helps keep mine cooler. We’re in Michigan, so not as hot as Texas, but it’s been a scorcher up here this year. Lots of 90°+ days and high humidity. Our ladies have been laying less because of that, so they’re definitely heat stressed. We lost a couple a few years ago because of the heat and made some changes to combat the heat.

The mister is about 30ft long and we put it on the yard fence near the run and the fence of their run, “L” shaped. It’s fairly well shaded in that area, which does help. Keeps them a bit cooler and the ground isn’t as hot. We turn it on during the hottest part of the day when the temps soar.

We also let them free range more because the run is in a corner of the yard. The air doesn’t circulate as well. We’re in the process of designing a new coop and run with a larger, more rectangular run (it’s currently square) and a roof over the run. We’re hoping that the new layout will help with circulation. We also keep an old stand fan in the run to make sure the air moves.

That may help with heat stress if that’s part of the oroblem. All the calcium tips are great. We also make ice rings with silicone cake rings, put in fly larvae, a little grain, and a bit of fruit. They like that. A little extra fluids and treats.

It sounds like we do a lot of the same things. I also have misters set up in the run. I spent a whole day getting it set up and it turns out that they hate water. I put ice in their water, water the ground, ice cube and cold treats on really hot days. They always go back to laying perfect eggs in a day or two. The only thing I can think is heat related.

 

[kambrydlynn]

It is in the 90s here the last week or so, so definitely hot for the area (KY). I am from west Texas so definitely not the heat you’re dealing with lol. Mine is only one who is having this issue, and she’s only been laying 3 weeks. But she will have a perfect egg, then a soft egg or two, then perfect eggs for 3 days and another soft. It’s very sporadic laying but enough that I’ve learned who is doing it and when.

Same here! It’s a few of my girls but they also lay perfect eggs, then a membrane egg and then one to two days later they are back on track.

 

[GooseMom111]

I’ll see if I can find smaller oyster shell. I will give them the cold mash and see if that helps. Thank you!

You can try mashing the oyster shell into finer bits. I get some at Tractor Supply that's a little chunky, and that's what I do. I'm in central Texas and it's the same here, 90's to 100, but our ladies have been laying ok, a little small but they've just been laying a few weeks now. There's lots of great suggestions on this site for heat relief. Good luck!