Hens laying shell less eggs

[Welsh Ducky]

I’ve noticed blobs of yellow tinted/clear liquid on my my ~3~Yr old RedStar/GoldenCommet hens poop catcher unnder their roost. They look like shell less eggs, but with no yolk either...2 days ago I noticed one with a full yolk

and today noticed one with a very thin almost see through shell. My 1st guess would be this is from calcium deficiency, but they have access to crushes oyster shells, though I’ve never seen them eat them. 2nd is the breed my hens are tend to only lay and live 2 1/2 to 3 years, and when chickens are older they lay more shell less eggs? And the problem isn’t just that they are shell less, but for some reason they decide to lay while on their roost in the morning, instead of using their perfectly good nesting boxes, which they’ve been using ever since they started laying.
Any ideas?? Thanks.

 

[The Golden Egg5]

What do they eat? Do they get treats often?
Mine aren’t the brightest, and haven’t figured out where the oyster shell container is in their coop. I throw a handful or two out while they are free ranging once a week or so, and the come running. That has helped for me. They could also be lacking protein, so some chick feed mixed with layer feed might help, or some mealworms or eggs.
ETA: never raw eggs, always scrambled or boiled

 

[Welsh Ducky]

What do they eat? Do they get treats often?
Mine aren’t the brightest, and haven’t figured out where the oyster shell container is in their coop. I throw a handful or two out while they are free ranging once a week or so, and the come running. That has helped for me. They could also be lacking protein, so some chick feed mixed with layer feed might help, or some mealworms or eggs.
ETA: never raw eggs, always scrambled or boiled

Ok thanks. They eat layer feed, with some chicken scratch mixed in. I’ll try throwing some oyster shells out for them too, and some mealworms.

 

[WindingRoad]

Ok thanks. They eat layer feed, with some chicken scratch mixed in. I’ll try throwing some oyster shells out for them too, and some mealworms.

I break ranks and feed OS on top of their feed. I feed my birds twice a day and I watch them eat. I have 4 birds. 2 hens, 2 pullets. I throw a handful on their feed once a week in the morning. And I crush their egg shells once a week too and feed them back after baking for about 5 mins at 350. Watch them closely they will burn. I put them in a small chopper ( like for onions or nuts in cooking) and grind quite fine. Mix in feed also. As I said a couple of times I want to make sure my birds actually eat the OS. Not leave it in the little cup or are pushed away by another bird. I am retired so I spend a lot time with my chickens.

 

[Welsh Ducky]

I break ranks and feed OS on top of their feed. I feed my birds twice a day and I watch them eat. I have 4 birds. 2 hens, 2 pullets. I throw a handful on their feed once a week in the morning. And I crush their egg shells once a week too and feed them back after baking for about 5 mins at 350. Watch them closely they will burn. I put them in a small chopper ( like for onions or nuts in cooking) and grind quite fine. Mix in feed also. As I said a couple of times I want to make sure my birds actually eat the OS. Not leave it in the little cup or are pushed away by another bird. I am retired so I spend a lot time with my chickens.

Ok thanks. Will do!

 

[aart]

They eat layer feed, with some chicken scratch mixed in.

Low over-all nutrition could well be the problem.
Could also be the beginning of failure of reproductive system.
Soft shelled, or incomplete eggs as shown, are often not laid in the nest as they don't feel like a 'real egg'.

 

[Welsh Ducky]

Low over-all nutrition could well be the problem.
Could also be the beginning of failure of reproductive system.
Soft shelled, or incomplete eggs as shown, are often not laid in the nest as they don't feel like a 'real egg'.

Ok. Thanks. They are free ranged as well... What would you recommend to help with low nutrition? And for reproductive system failure?

 

[aart]

Ok. Thanks. They are free ranged as well... What would you recommend to help with low nutrition? And for reproductive system failure?

First knowing what all and exactly how you feed would help.
But layer feed mixed with scratch doesn't sound great.
There should be a tag sewn into bottom of bag that shows ingredients and nutritive percentages.
After getting diet up to snuff, repro issues maybe resolve or not.

 

[Welsh Ducky]

First knowing what all and exactly how you feed would help.
But layer feed mixed with scratch doesn't sound great.
There should be a tag sewn into bottom of bag that shows ingredients and nutritive percentages.
After getting diet up to snuff, repro issues maybe resolve or not.

Hey. I’ve kept forgetting to respond. My hens have a feeder in their coop that they can go to freely. It has 16% layer feed in it. I throw them scratch and mealworms every day, and crushed oyster shells too.

 

[Welsh Ducky]

Low over-all nutrition could well be the problem.
Could also be the beginning of failure of reproductive system.
Soft shelled, or incomplete eggs as shown, are often not laid in the nest as they don't feel like a 'real egg'.

And since I’ve created the thread I’ve had normal eggs in their nesting boxes...