Introduction and a question:

[jenniferlong]

My Name is Jennifer, I live in Springville TN and am a very new chicken owner. My husband and I decided we would like to have some hens, 4, and a rooster in the backyard. Get a few eggs here and there and just enjoy them. We acquired a RhodeIsland Red hen, 3 Buffs, and a Bantum rooster we named Colonel. We got introduced to this site via some chicken friends as they highly recommended this community to gain some much needed knowledge about chickens. We live pretty rural and are also proud herd members of 2 Halflinger horses and a Fjord. 3 domestic short hair cats and 2 dogs. The 19yr old two legged member of the family has recently joined the army and is in Basic Training at this time. So with all our critter friends, no empty nesting going on here. No pun intended....LOL! I am excited about this site and gradually meet some members, maybe even some close to home here in West TN. My question I have is. What could cause my hens to all of a sudden have thin shelled eggs? We got them a week ago, and have had eggs every day. Today when checking there were two eggs, both having been cracked open. The shells did not seem very thick and the insides did not seem normal. We keep fresh water daily and feed a laying hen feed acquired at TSC, dialy. Any suggestions?

 

[lazy gardener]

What is the mill date on the bag of feed. If it is older than 6 weeks, that could be the problem. How old are these birds? Where did you get them?

 

[chickengirl778]

I think what your hens need is oyster shell. Oyster shell will give them calcium for strong eggshells, and can be found at most feed stores.

 

[Matt119911]

Yes and protein protein and calcium

 

[Kiki]

Welcome! We are glad you joined our flock!
Jump right in and make yourself at home.

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Chicken Coops

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[dunnmom]

I don't know what the temps have been like where you are, but I know my hens tend toward thinner shells during heat waves because of the extra water consumption.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Poultry should always have grit available. Oystershell is good.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy Welcome!

Thanks for joining us here at Backyard Chickens.

 

[N F C]

It's nice to have you here, thanks for joining us!

 

[drumstick diva]

Thank you for joining us at Backyard chickens. Always room for more