Small circular area of poor shell development. This area is Thin, pale, flat and collapses easily under pressure.

[Kberly]

I have a two year old Black Copper Maran who, after cessation of laying during molting, began laying eggs with a Small circular area of poor shell development. This area is Thin, pale, flat and collapses easily under pressure.
the egg is otherwise seeming perfect.
ive seen others note this problem but have not seen a definitive answer as to the cause of this. Is a nutrition issue or is it something awry in her anatomy?
Thanks for any help.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I have a two year old Black Copper Maran who, after cessation of laying during molting, began laying eggs with a Small circular area of poor shell development. This area is Thin, pale, flat and collapses easily under pressure.
the egg is otherwise seeming perfect.
ive seen others note this problem but have not seen a definitive answer as to the cause of this. Is a nutrition issue or is it something awry in her anatomy?
Thanks for any help.

Do you have pictures of the oddity?

 

[Kberly]

Do you have pictures of the oddity?

Yes, one shows how flat, one I pressed to show it collapsing

 

[MysteryChicken]

I'm suspecting a calcium absorption problem. What treats do you give, & how often?

 

[Kberly]

I was providing dried meal worms 1/2 c per day and 2c of 7 way scratch , shared by 4 hens. I had started this to add protein while they were molting.
After finding this problem egg, I realized that I had not been providing separate separate source of calcium for probably several months. (I was in an accident and unable to give proper attention to chickens)
They are now back on oyster shells mixed in their food for now.

 

[Kberly]

They have only been back on the oyster shell for approx 14 days. Hopefully this will end the problem. But after a quick internet search on shell issues, I couldn’t find one that matched these characteristics.
I have read others posts that had the exact problem as I have , but I didn’t see a precise dx or answer on the thread.
I’m just confused .

 

[Eggcessive]

I had a lavender orpington that had a soft end on her eggs. She ended up dying of a reproductive disorder. She was exposed to infectious bronchitis virus, which can cause egg shell problems. Scroll down to #15 in this article:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/common-egg-quality-problems.65923/

 

[MysteryChicken]

I was providing dried meal worms 1/2 c per day and 2c of 7 way scratch , shared by 4 hens. I had started this to add protein while they were molting.
After finding this problem egg, I realized that I had not been providing separate separate source of calcium for probably several months. (I was in an accident and unable to give proper attention to chickens)
They are now back on oyster shells mixed in their food for now.

I'd suggest giving treats once, or twice a week instead of per day.

 

[21hens-incharge]

The 2 cups of scratch and 1/2 cup of mealworms for just 4 birds is WAY to much.

The scratch amount for 4 birds should be kept to 1/8th cup or less....yes 1/8th cup for them to share.

 

[Kberly]

Thanks so much for your responses, I am obviously undereducated on chicken nutrition and will delve into ASAP!
@Eggcessive, my head has been wandering to that exact answer. I don’t know enough about how the shell is formed in the reproductive tract, but it just seems like she has developed a defect within this area .