Shells super thin (she crushes them) and raw, red belly/vent area

[JPHens]

My New Hampshire Red is about 6 years old. She's had thin shelled eggs for a few months, often cracked at the end, sometimes really broken. She doesn't want oyster shell but many days I feed it to her in peanut butter and that seems to help. Lately, when she hasn't had oyster shells (we ran out of pb and I got lazy) she had several days of eggs that were just a crushed mess in the nest box. Then yesterday I discovered that her underside is kind of a mess, red and raw looking. She's acting normally, pretty happy. What do you think the red and raw is about? Could it be related to sitting for a bit on her crushed egg? I did pick her up to look underneath (Iooks messy, little feather shafts I believe) but these are the photos I got, with her standing. Thanks for your ideas.

 

[WVduckchick]

Looks to me like she has tried to preen the yolk-hardened feathers, and has pulled a few outMaybe you could rinse her bum in a warm bath and get a better look.

@Wyorp Rock
@EggSighted4Life
@azygous

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My New Hampshire Red is about 6 years old. She's had thin shelled eggs for a few months, often cracked at the end, sometimes really broken. She doesn't want oyster shell but many days I feed it to her in peanut butter and that seems to help. Lately, when she hasn't had oyster shells (we ran out of pb and I got lazy) she had several days of eggs that were just a crushed mess in the nest box. Then yesterday I discovered that her underside is kind of a mess, red and raw looking. She's acting normally, pretty happy. What do you think the red and raw is about? Could it be related to sitting for a bit on her crushed egg? I did pick her up to look underneath (Iooks messy, little feather shafts I believe) but these are the photos I got, with her standing. Thanks for your ideas. View attachment 2331736View attachment 2331735

I can't see the red raw part you are describing. In my experience angry skin is most often parasite related.. and I would certainly do a check after dark using a flashlight since that's when things are easiest to see.

I have had hens get a crushed egg dried onto and hanging from their underside. They usually do best with a bit of a warm bath.

I might try another calcium source.. first easy one is slightly crushed egg shell.. size matters so not too small.. but all my birds mow down on egg shells much happier than OS. What is her regular feed including treats and supplements? How much of the PB are using to how much OS

Maybe a treat of tums or other rapid source calcium right before bed? This is usually used to help with muscle contractions if a hen is bound... but MAYBE it will help HER?? Slow source calcium is more key when a shell gland is working properly.. So right now are we not sure if it's the shell gland or specifically diet related.. if shell are hard when extra effort is made, I would presume behaviorally diet related.. according to the description SO far.

Please understand I am just brainstorming ideas and not actually making suggestions other than use YOUR best judgement.. to me a soft or broken egg inside her could be life or death. With her getting on in age You have to decide if excess calcium administered is causing more harm than good with regard to potential kidney side effects, etc..

I have heard about liquid calcium.. *maybe* using that over her feed or on a treat.. some zoos sprinkle calcium dust on their crickets/meal worms before offering to the animal.

Can we see a lovely full body shot of that 6 year old gal?

 

[JPHens]

I can't see the red raw part you are describing. In my experience angry skin is most often parasite related.. and I would certainly do a check after dark using a flashlight since that's when things are easiest to see.

I have had hens get a crushed egg dried onto and hanging from their underside. They usually do best with a bit of a warm bath.

I might try another calcium source.. first easy one is slightly crushed egg shell.. size matters so not too small.. but all my birds mow down on egg shells much happier than OS. What is her regular feed including treats and supplements? How much of the PB are using to how much OS

Maybe a treat of tums or other rapid source calcium right before bed? This is usually used to help with muscle contractions if a hen is bound... but MAYBE it will help HER?? Slow source calcium is more key when a shell gland is working properly.. So right now are we not sure if it's the shell gland or specifically diet related.. if shell are hard when extra effort is made, I would presume behaviorally diet related.. according to the description SO far.

Please understand I am just brainstorming ideas and not actually making suggestions other than use YOUR best judgement.. to me a soft or broken egg inside her could be life or death. With her getting on in age You have to decide if excess calcium administered is causing more harm than good with regard to potential kidney side effects, etc..

I have heard about liquid calcium.. *maybe* using that over her feed or on a treat.. some zoos sprinkle calcium dust on their crickets/meal worms before offering to the animal.

Can we see a lovely full body shot of that 6 year old gal?

Thank for the ideas! I will try the egg shell. Without knowing a lot (I just have a few hens and she is the one remaining from the first brood) I think it's dietary since she does lay an egg most days. Is there an amount of egg shell (or oyster shell that's right? I've just been mixing it maybe 1/2 shells 1/2 pb and letting her have a few teaspoons. No idea how much is best but she loves it. Here is a photo of her in the spring

. I can get another tomorrow Thank you.