Six Year Old Barred Rock with Weak Shells

[Mama KK]

My OG girl is around 6 years old and still lays regularly, however, her shells I've noticed have started to become weaker. So much so that they'll sometimes break whilst washing them. The rest of my girls have nice strong shells like they always have so it's specific to just her and it's just been in the last month or so.

They free range all day every day, are given layer feed and I feed their shells back to them.

Could her age be a result or some other reason? She's acting completely normal in all other ways.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Do you offer oyster shells? Oyster shells take longer to break down than egg shells so they are in the body when they are most needed.

Older hens can become depleted of calcium earlier in the season than younger birds. Not much you can do but make those oyster shells available free choice for those that may need it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I do notice more shelling issues with older birds. If the issue is persistent, then you may need to supplement her with extra calcium either via private breakfast (oyster shell mixed into a bit of wet feed for her consumption only, a few times a week) or via calcium citrate tablets.