Eggshells are thin. Why?

[TexasWineGuy]

Howdy All,

Within the last year my hens are laying eggs with much thinner shells than prior. The eggs used to be so hard I had to wack them to crack. Now some of them might break in my hand when carrying them.

These hens are in the 2-3 year old range. They are getting a high quality egg laying feed (Wendlands 20% pellets) as well as they have access to a supply of grit and crushed oyster shells.

Any ideas? Add powdered calcium to the feed?

TWG

 

[Paz]

Yes, add calcium directly onto their feed. You can also force them into a molt, to restart them.

 

[Bertram]

I would mix the oyster shells into the feed. You could also try giving them crushed eggshell.

 

[Brooks_]

You can also force them into a molt,

How would one do that?

 

[aart]

crushed oyster shells

Are they consuming the OS?
Might try spreading some out on the ground with a bit of scratch grains and mixing crushed egg shell in with the OS.

 

[TexasWineGuy]

Yes, add calcium directly onto their feed. You can also force them into a molt, to restart them.

A Google search shows up quite a few crushed Oyster shells, but I don't see anything in powdered form.

?

TWG

 

[Alagirl]

A Google search shows up quite a few crushed Oyster shells, but I don't see anything in powdered form.

?

TWG

save eggshells and throw them in a blender.
or the oystershells.

I am at a loss myself a little, with a similar setup, one of my hens just lays thin shelled eggs that usually break before I collect them. She seems otherwise happy and I don't miss the egg.

 

[Kellow1]

The thin-shelled eggs breaking in the nestbox can cause egg eaters. I have that problem but don't know a way to stop them.

 

[Brooks_]

The thin-shelled eggs breaking in the nestbox can cause egg eaters. I have that problem but don't know a way to stop them.

Blow out an egg and fill with mustard is a common recommendation, but many say filling with dish soap works better.