Oyster shells or grit?

[Heather67]

I have some new and old hens laying soft shelled eggs and some starting to eat their eggs. They are on 16 percent feed. Would Oyster shells or grit be appropriate or would something else?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have some new and old hens laying soft shelled eggs and some starting to eat their eggs. They are on 16 percent feed. Would Oyster shells or grit be appropriate or would something else?

You are in Texas (thanks for that info) so you are using the American definition of grit. If your chickens have access to the ground you do not need to feed them grit. They will pick up enough pebbles from the ground to grind their food in the gizzard.

What are you feeding them? Is that 16% feed Layer, Grower, or something else? What is the calcium content, it should be on the label. If the calcium content is closer to 4% than 1% then it is Layer. If Layer is the only thing they eat then that should be enough calcium for egg shells. If they eat other things, like foraging or any kinds of treats they may not be getting enough calcium. It's not how much calcium is in one bite, it's how many total grams of calcium they eat in a day.

When I have an issue I try to determine if it is an individual chicken problem or a flockwide problem. Since soft shells seem to be new and old hens, it's a flockwide problem. I think feeding them oyster shell on the side would be very appropriate.

About any chicken will eat an egg once it is broken. That does not make them an "egg eater". They are just taking advantage of available food. An egg eater is a chicken that purposely opens an egg to eat it. I don't know if you have an egg eater or not. If those soft shelled eggs get broken it is pretty normal for them to eat them. But if one has learned to open eggs to eat them you have a problem. One way they can earn to open eggs is they find eggs already broken. That could be soft shelled or thin shelled eggs that get broken or maybe eggs being laid from a roost. Regardless of anything else, I'd offer them oyster shell immediately.

The amount of protein has nothing to do with soft shelled eggs, that's calcium and how they use it. Some people firmly believe the amount of protein can cause them to eat eggs. I don't believe that. If an egg is open many will eat it regardless of how much protein they are getting. But I'm probably in the minority on this forum in that belief.

 

[Heather67]

Thank you for responding. The eggs that are eaten are hard shell eggs. I can’t find the percent of calcium on line. I already threw out the bags. So now I’m curious about the percentage. I have 2 coops and both coops have had soft shell and the older hens in the first coop are eating the hard shell and in 3 years never laid a soft shell until yesterday but my second coop has new layers and I have had several soft shells from them. I’ll go get some Oyster shells tomorrow for both coops. Is there anything else I can do?

 

[Ridgerunner]

The eggs that are eaten are hard shell eggs.

Some critters that eat eggs will leave shells behind. Skunks, possum, and raccoons immediately come to mind. Possibly rats. Is it possible one of them could be the one? They may be more active at night but they can show up during daylight. If is is a chicken, then you have an egg eater. Those can be hard to identify since it's the one opening the egg that you want. I can't think of any good way to do that other than be around when there are eggs and you see her in action.

You can find various suggestions on here. Fill an egg shell with something really nasty and see if that stops her when she breaks it. Put ceramic or wooden eggs in the nest so they learn they can't break them while gathering real eggs as often as you can.

The only things that I know to work are to either remove the egg eater or use roll out nests. That's where the egg rolls to a place the hen cannot get to it.

I can’t find the percent of calcium on line. I already threw out the bags. So now I’m curious about the percentage.

If you can name the brand and marketing name somebody might be able to help you. Send the manufacturer and email. Or look the next time you are at the feed store.

in 3 years never laid a soft shell until yesterday

If it is only one soft shell in three years it's not an epidemic. The process of putting an egg together in their internal egg making factory is pretty complicated. To me that sounds like an oops. Those happen. I feel we are all allowed an occasional oops. If it becomes a regular thing I'd be more concerned but with just one egg I would not worry at all.

my second coop has new layers and I have had several soft shells from them.

It's not that unusual for pullets just starting to lay to lay some really weird eggs. They haven't gotten all the kinks out of their internal egg making factory. To me it's amazing how many get it right straight from the start. It should not be very many of your pullets but a few isn't unusual. If they haven't cleared it up within two weeks I'd worry. We can discuss that.

I’ll go get some Oyster shells tomorrow for both coops. Is there anything else I can do?

That's what I'd do. If they need it the oyster shell will be eaten. If they don't that oyster shell may last a really long time. It will not age and go bad.

Good luck!

 

[Tnoah]

I have some new and old hens laying soft shelled eggs and some starting to eat their eggs. They are on 16 percent feed. Would Oyster shells or grit be appropriate or would something else?

I mix grit and oyster shells along with mealworms, scratch feed, cracked corn, birdseed and a fresh fruit everyday and my Serama is eating their eggs so I wonder why mine is doing it. Cause I am giving them all kinds of vitamins and minerals