How to separate food pellets

[cicknmama]

I have oyster shell free choice, but that doesn't mean they are eating it. My black sex link hen has been a great layer with an egg most every day. She started with soft shelled eggs after i switched. The other hen, an easter egger is still in her first year of laying and just layed a soft shelled egg today and I've never had any problems with her eggs. She lays most every day also. The only thing that changed is their feed. They free range a couple times a week as usual and I offer them a little BOSS in the evening. So if the switch in feed isn't causing the soft shelled eggs than what is?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I have oyster shell free choice, but that doesn't mean they are eating it. My black sex link hen has been a great layer with an egg most every day. She started with soft shelled eggs after i switched. The other hen, an easter egger is still in her first year of laying and just layed a soft shelled egg today and I've never had any problems with her eggs. She lays most every day also. The only thing that changed is their feed. They free range a couple times a week as usual and I offer them a little BOSS in the evening. So if the switch in feed isn't causing the soft shelled eggs than what is?

It takes more than just a good source of calcium carbonate to make strong eggshells. Good sources of potassium and vitamins A B12 and D3 among other nutrients are needed.

There are also diseases that can damage a hen's reproductive track and these ailments will result in her laying soft shelled eggs.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Do they eat the oyster shell? Try tossing a handful on the ground in front of them. I don't use layer feed at all. I don't keep oyster shell in a separate container in the pen either. I just toss a handful on the ground once a week for about 6 layers. I get good egg shells.

 

[cicknmama]

Do they eat the oyster shell? Try tossing a handful on the ground in front of them. I don't use layer feed at all. I don't keep oyster shell in a separate container in the pen either. I just toss a handful on the ground once a week for about 6 layers. I get good egg shells.

They are older hens, in their third year. I've read they need more calcium at that age so I have it free choice. I realized that they were getting too much free range time while I changed their feed. They are not used to having to eat calcium and they weren't getting any while free ranging. I have kept them confined most of the day and only let them out an hour or two before dusk. They all seem to be doing better.

 

[cicknmama]

It takes more than just a good source of calcium carbonate to make strong eggshells.  Good sources of potassium and vitamins A B12 and D3 among other nutrients are needed.

There are also diseases that can damage a hen's reproductive track and these ailments will result in her laying soft shelled eggs.  

I have cut way down on their free range time and that seems to have helped. They must be eating more calcium. They layed good eggs for the last 4 days, then I allowed them free range all day and then got a soft egg. Im adding a vitamin supplement to the water once a week and only allowing a couple hours free range time a few times a week. I don't think it's disease because 3 of my hens are having this problem and it didn't start until I changed their food. I'll continue my research though, thanks.