Hen needs more calcium?

[Malita]

One of my RIRs (Spicy) has been laying eggs that are like a sheet of brown paper with an egg laid on them. They are on Layena layer crumbles, have oyster shell as free choice, and free range about 12 hours a day. I'm assuming to harden up her eggs, she needs more calcium. So, should I start other snacks like cheese, yogurt, broccoli to get more into her? All of the other hens are laying normal eggs.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Sometimes it is not how much calcium they eat but how their bodies process the calcium. If the others are laying eggs with good shells, you can pretty much assume it has something to do with the individual hen. With the Layer and oyster shell on the side, you are doing about what you can.

If she has just started laying, it may be that her internal egg laying factory has not got all the kinks worked out of the system. If that is the case, she should correct the problem within a couple of weeks. But if this is a long term problem, it probably has something to do with the hen.

Some diseases will cause that, but if one hen has it, they all should. If the others start laying irregular or soft shelled eggs you can suspect disease. I hate to mention that because you might start worrying about it, probably unnecessarily, but I think you should be aware of the possibility. I really think it is more likely genetics of the individual hen if it is a long term problem. And if she has just started laying, it is something that should correct itself.

 

[Imp]

Good info from Ridgerunner.

May want to add Magnesium & Vitamin D. Both are important to the absorbtion of calcium.
Here's a list of some other calcium rich foods that might be of help.

1. Spinach & Swiss Chard
2. Salmon & Sardines (canned with bones)
3. Mustard, Collard, Kale & Turnip greens
4. Shellfish
5. Blackstrap molasses (can cause runny stools)
6. Corn Tortillas
7. Yogurt
8. Mozzarella & Cheddar cheese
9. Milk, Buttermilk (goat's milk and cow's milk)
10. Basil, thyme, dill seed, cinnamon, and peppermint leaves
11. Romaine lettuce
12. Rhubarb
13. Almonds, Peanuts & Brazil Nuts
14. Black Beans, Dried Beans (Cooked)
15. Sesame seeds
16. Fennel
17. Cabbage, Bok Choy, & Chinese cabbage
18. Summer squash
19. Green beans
20. Garlic
21. Tofu & Soybeans
22. Brussel sprouts & Broccoli
23. Oranges (Some people do not feed citrus to chickens)
24. Asparagus & Okra
25. Crimini mushrooms
26. Foods Fortified with Calcium: Some Orange Juice, Breads, & Cereals

Good luck,

Imp

 

[Chris09]

There are 5 main things that can "regulate" egg shell quality.
Protein,
Calcium,
Phosphorus,
Vitamin D
Magnesium
An improper balance of any one of the above 5 elements can give you soft egg shells.

Chris

 

[welasharon]

I have a cuckoo marans that has to have extra or the shells start thinning and become non-existant. I tried the oyster shell stuff. No good. I give her cheese, cottage cheese occasionally and every day I put crushed up egg shells out for her. She devours them and no problems.
sharon