Need a chemist who knows chickens

[123RedBeard]

@amanda1 ... how's your eggs?

 

[amanda1]

Could you use bottle water for a few months without changing anything else and see if that makes a difference. I don't know how big your flock is.
Is your filter system protected from freezing over.
I would like to know what your alkalinity and ph reading are before filter and after....
My city tap water ph average around 7.5 to 8. Alkalinity is 80-90.
Usually copper pipe failure is done to low ph.
I maintain a 100k gallon swimming pool and 3k spa at work daily plus over 125 gallons of aquariums at home.
I enjoy the balancing of water.
I wish I was closer by to help you figure this out.

Let me get back to you in this! It sounds like you could definitely answer my questions!

 

[amanda1]

@amanda1 ... how's your eggs?

Sorry! I didn’t see these replies before.

About half my eggs are fine, the other half kind of weak shelled. I had one hen who really had issues, she’s a 4 year old black Austrolorpe. Her eggs were coming out with cracks, and very paper like. Fortunately she’s currently broody so her body will get a much needed break.

The eggs in question break open way too easily. I even noticed one of my hens under age 1 with some weak shells. I was doing more treats but have almost completely backed off. I use a pellet layer feed, organic. I have free choice oyster shell which they never touch. I offer crushed egg shells back to them. They free range from 1-5 hours per day on a huge area, including woods and fields.