Not enough calcium- please help

[mrla2205]

I have 10 hens about 1 year old, they lay 6-7 eggs a day .somebof them have very soft shell ,some are only soft membrane not any shell and those get eaten by hens ,some lay soft egg during the roosting and drop those with poops ,I always have available oysters shells for them ,which they don’t care to eat , purchased different calcium source like crumbles also always return all the shells from the eggs we eat ,What else can I do to give them more very needed calcium

 

[21hens-incharge]

What breeds are they?
What feed are you using?

I use pacific pearl oyster shell. It does NOT look like crumbled drywall. Mine eat it readily but always ignored the drywall looking stuff.

Tums is often recommended for an immediate calcium boost. I do not recall how to or how much to give. I am sure others will be along to help.

Maybe @azygous @casportpony or @Wyorp Rock can help.

 

[Ginmary]

My hen who's recuperating with a broken leg laid2 shell less eggs. I crushed a tums and sprinkled it on her food. Last night she laid a nice hard shell big brown egg on my daughter's lap.

 

[GC-Raptor]

If you are feeding them treats like Scratch Grains, Corn, Greens, kitchen or table scraps. Stop for a couple of weeks.
Only feed them the Layer feed and water.
Calcium isn't the only thing needed to form strong shells according to the USDA.

Phosphorus, Manganese and vitamin D is also needed.
A layer feed contains all nutrients needed to produce strong shells.
But full size chickens need to eat a 1/4 to 1/3 of a pound, (about 3/4 of a cup of Layer crumbles daily) to get the quantity of nutrients needed for strong shells.
Your chickens don't eat the Oyster Shells so a Layer feed is the way to go. GC

 

[mrla2205]

If you are feeding them treats like Scratch Grains, Corn, Greens, kitchen or table scraps. Stop for a couple of weeks.
Only feed them the Layer feed and water.
Calcium isn't the only thing needed to form strong shells according to the USDA.View attachment 2054274
Phosphorus, Manganese and vitamin D is also needed.
A layer feed contains all nutrients needed to produce strong shells.
But full size chickens need to eat a 1/4 to 1/3 of a pound, (about 3/4 of a cup of Layer crumbles daily) to get the quantity of nutrients needed for strong shells.
Your chickens don't eat the Oyster Shells so a Layer feed is the way to go. GC

I feed my girls Layer crumbles daily, they are about 10 months old, red production hens, got them at about 6 months old when they all were stuck in small chicken tractor I have about 1 ac where my girls free-range and always have oyster shells -don't think they eat any of it , also give them eggs shells and the only treats are kale and sunflower seeds -no corn or any other sugary stuff

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have 10 hens

I have about 1 ac where my girls free-range

the only treats are kale and sunflower seeds

10 hens need to consume about 7 1/2 cups of Layer feed to get the needed Calcium and other nutrients needed to produce hard shells.
If they are consuming that amount, then they may have lice or mites.
If they're not consuming that much feed, maybe try letting them out to Free range later in the day in the afternoons.
Or try the suggestions in posts 2 and 3. GC