Shells are tough - do I need to supplement oyster shell?

Sounds like they're getting enough calcium already. But it wouldn't hurt to give them a separate dish of oyster grit. That way it's there if they want it. And of course it's better to keep them topped up with calcium rather than waiting till they start laying soft eggs...

Just about ALL home-made eggs are way tougher than shop-bought ones. When I started giving eggs to my dad he was cracking them three or four times on the edge of the pan to get them to break open. Shop eggs are really flimsy, probably because intensive egg farming isn't very nice for the birds and they don't really have a great environment or diet...

 

IF they are getting enough calcium, that's how the shells should be. As far as if there is a real need? Lack of calcium can arise at any time. We keep free choice oyster shells available to them all times, and chickens are pretty good at taking it when they need it. It's not that expensive. I just sprinkle a bunch around the run and let them take when they want. It's been a couple months and I haven't finished the whole first little bag.

 

I'd say they are getting enough already if their shells are that tough...maybe too much? Not exactly sure, I'm relatively new to this chicken stuff even though I was around chickens my whole childhood. Anyway, I always thought and was told that you supplemented the oyster shell to help them produce/maintain strong shells. Hopefully somebody more experienced will reply.....those sound like some real tough eggs!!

 

You WANT the shells to be that tough. EB eggs are not the same as your own fresh eggs. Fresh eggs are way harder to break and that's a good thing.