Fairly new to this!!!!! Thick egg membranes? Any ideas for the cause?

[lindz8504]

I have 3 hens laying right now, 1 Buff Orp. and 2 buff Cochin Bantams. The B.O's eggs are large, brown and they crack much like store bought eggs. The Cochins' eggs are smaller and lighter brown and are a PAIN to crack, and often the shell will peel away from the membrane before I can get it broken enough to actually get it to crack! The hens are just getting the layer feed, and get the crushed egg shells about 1x a week. (whenever we cook eggs) I am not sure if this is normal for smaller eggs or if there is something up with the eggs? I don't think a chick would be able to hatch out of these eggs because the membrane is so tough! Any suggestions?

 

[charlottejb]

Don't worry, a thick egg membrane is a sign of a healthy chicken

As for the hatching, chicks actually have an 'egg tooth' which is capable of cutting through the membrane, so you shouldn't worry.
Hope this helps!

 

[Happy Chooks]

They should be harder to crack, they are fresh. I can no longer crack store bought eggs. The last time I did, I gave a hard whack and pulverized it.