Hen laying very rough-shelled eggs

[Backyard Hencam]

I have six hens, all good layers. The smallest of the flock, a golden-laced Wyandotte, has begun laying eggs with very rough shells. It is like they are covered with sandpaper. She takes a long time to lay them (at least an hour). It can't be very comfortable for her but I haven't gotten out the Preparation H yet!

I give the hens oyster shells mixed in with their food. Is there anything else I can do?

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Should I post this under another topic heading? I thought this would be a common problem with an easy answer. Oh well.

 

[chuckzoo]

I feed oyster shell seperate in a little container. Mixing it in with the feed may make her eat more than she needs.

 

[gritsar]

Here's some information that should help you:

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/1/egg-quality-handbook/17/sandpaper-or-rough-shells

 

[Dutchess]

Nice post GRITSAR, that really covers it! I was trying to remember a thread I read here about the sandpaper shell eggs, I couldn't find it.

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Thanks Gritsar for the link. She doesn't seem sick, stressed, or dehydrated as described. I'll keep looking for a resolution.

 

[nellie]

My Welsummer will occasionally do this. I noticed she was rubbish at drinking from the water hanger so I added a shallow water bowl outside the coop and she seems to be a bit better. No idea if it is coincidence or not.

 

[HEChicken]

I would stop mixing the oyster shell in with the food and instead offer it free choice in a separate container if I were you. They seem to know how much they need and will help themselves when they know they need it. Force-feeding it can result in getting too much calcium and they have to expel the extra somehow....

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I agree. Offer the oyster shell seperate. Different chickens have different calcium requirements, just like us humans.

 

[Backyard Hencam]

I would stop mixing the oyster shell in with the food and instead offer it free choice in a separate container if I were you. They seem to know how much they need and will help themselves when they know they need it. Force-feeding it can result in getting too much calcium and they have to expel the extra somehow....

I will try this! An old farmer in a feedstore told me....."Awwww, just mix in a handful in the feed." I've been doing, this but, like you said, perhaps they are getting too much! Thanks for the advice.​