Geritol, but for older hens

[fat brown hen]

I have 40 hens, about half of whom are over the age of 6 and still laying. Many of the older hens lay thin-shelled eggs, and I suspect they are having trouble absorbing calcium due to their age.

Right now everyone gets generic 16% layer pellets, with 2 different kinds of oyster shell free choice. It's not enough. Does there exist a vitamin-enriched feed, sort of like vitamin-fortified milk at the market?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You could try switching to a non medicated chick starter which should have higher protein, which may help.

Thin shell eggs this time of year can be because hens are depleted of calcium, or because they are hot and panting a lot. Panting can interfere with calcium absorption. So keeping birds cool can help with eggshell quality.

 

[TioBollio]

There are calcium supplements that can be added to water. I've never used one, but might be worth a look?
https://www.amazon.com/Chickn-Calci...id+calcium+for+chickens&qid=1755190638&sr=8-3

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Maybe look at supplementing Vitamin D as well, which helps with calcium absorption.

 

[Altairsky]

I give my oldest hen a calcium citrate pill with D3. Her shells improved a bit.

 

[2 Acres]

You could try switching to a non medicated chick starter which should have higher protein, which may help.

Thin shell eggs this time of year can be because hens are depleted of calcium, or because they are hot and panting a lot. Panting can interfere with calcium absorption. So keeping birds cool can help with eggshell quality.

Save your eggshells so you can feed them back to the hens. I soak mine, let them air dry, crush them up, and bake them to kill any bacteria.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Save your eggshells so you can feed them back to the hens. I soak mine, let them air dry, crush them up, and bake them to kill any bacteria.

Why soak them? And for how long?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Save your eggshells so you can feed them back to the hens. I soak mine, let them air dry, crush them up, and bake them to kill any bacteria.

Eggshells are digested quickly. I just toss them back. No need to dry them. Oyster shells are important because they stay in the body longer and are available if birds need them, so they always should be offered.

 

[fat brown hen]

I feed my eggshells back to the chickens without washing or baking. They enjoy the protein residue.

Calcium + Vitamin D3 would be the way to go, but I have too many chickens to administer individual pills. Hence the desire for vitamin-enriched feed. I suppose I could grind up calcium pills and mix them into the feed.