Soft shells -- how to fix?

[xjonesy]

I have a Barred Plymouth Rock and a Red Sex Link that are both laying great eggs. I also have 2 silver laced Wyandottes -- all 4 were purchased the same time and have been fed the same. They're all about 22-23 weeks old. The eggs from the 2 Wyandottes just aren't good -- the shells are too soft and mushy. The BR and Sex Link lay great eggs with thick, hard shells.

We let the chickens free range in the yard, which is mostly grass, and we give them kitchen scraps like watermelone rind, rice, bread, etc. I also dry and crush egg shells and put it in their feed for extra calcium?

Any thoughts? I've read that soft shells are due to a lack of calcium, but if my other hens are laying fine, could there be something wrong with the 2 Wyandottes?

Thanks!

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Yep, even free rangers need oyster shell available to them 24/7.

Just get 50 pounds of the stuff and scoop out some to a place the chickens will know and be able to get to all the time.

Mine get let out of the wire mesh pens in the barn in the morning and MANY go to the shell first even before the grain and layer.

 

[cmom]

I agree. I would also have a dish of free choice oyster shells available for them.

 

[Judy]

I throw my egg shells away. They need the oyster shell. Some need more than others. They will take what they need. It really isn't that expensive.

 

[Portalguy]

Available to them... from what age on?

My wife says that once they start laying, that we will put out the oyster shells. However, that seems to me a bit late. Shouldn't they have the calcium in their systems already, by the time that they start laying?

Cheers!

 

[Grammahen]

I have the same problem! My 2 Golden Comets are 22 weeks old. Most days I will have just 1 perfect egg. Some days I get an egg that is soft mush. Often I will find one on the dropping board with either a soft thin shell or a shell less egg. I have had oyster shells out for a few months. (I don't really see them eating them though) I free feed Layena feed all day. In the late afternoon, I will give treats like hard boiled eggs or fruit and veggies and I also give just a bit of scratch. Not sure if they are just still young and the good eggs will come with practice? Am I doing anything wrong?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Soft shelled eggs, yolkless eggs, misshapen eggs, many other strange things are very common when they first start laying. It normally straightens itself out as the egglaying factory works out the kinks, but if it lasts more than two weeks you may have a problem. It is not always lack of calcium. This site gives some other possible reasons.

Soft shelled Eggs
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publi...ndbook/16/thinshelled-eggs-and-shellless-eggs

 

[HarryBun12]

I got a RIR bantam adult hen this spring who laid a few good eggs then went on to lay nothing but shell-less eggs then no eggs for a few months. We were going to cull her since we don't need any freeloaders here, but then she went into a moult so I decided to see what happens. Now that her feathers are grown back in she's been an egg laying machine. All with nice hard shells. She must've heard us talking....