Soft egg 'skins' smeared with blood

[Chickadee11]

I have had my 3 hens for a month now and most days I get 1 or 2 soft shelled eggs that are broken or just soggy skins. I think they are just so thin they break very easily rather than the hens purposefully breaking them to eat them.

They have a mixed grit that includes oyster shell and Ive tried adding a calcium and mineral mix to their feed - but still the same. They get layers pellets and the odd treat but this is controlled as they spend most of the time in their run and then when Im home they trample round the lawn.

This morning I found a soggy skin smeared in blood. Any thoughts?

 

[chickenzoo]

If it was only one hen then id say something internal but with three hens doing it.... i would have to say its the feed. I would switch to another feed and see if their is a difference. Make sure it is higher in calcium and protien. A lot of feeds are now veggie based..... Chickens are not vegatarian only...they eat meat. Stop additives for s bit as some can actually block calcium absorbsion.......

 

[Judy]

I wouldn't add grit, oyster shell or anything else to the feed. I offer both separately so they can choose how much of each they want. (There's always an old dish, or soda pop bottle bottom nailed to a scrap of board, around here, to avoid buying more feeders.)

And I agree, they need some animal protein, at least some days.

 

[Chickadee11]

Hi, sorry you get me wrong. Its just one or two hen laying soft shells I think as I always get one good egg every day. Ive been collecting up slugs and the such like which they enjoy. Bit yucky tho! Why are the feeds vegetarian, do you know?

 

[Chickadee11]

Thanks by the way!