something wicked this way comes.

[jessupfamily]

I've read that any melons sometimes stop chickens from laying.

Ours slow down and some have even stopped after eating melons. Could this also maybe affect the shells? We get a shell-less egg every once in a while. Ours are free-range and have access to oyster shell and vits and minerals also. We are in SW Indiana and the temp here has been around or above 100 for a while now. 104 yesterday! Our shells are hard right now and we have babies coming any day (just had to throw that in)!
Amy J.

 

[Zenbirder]

I have been able to get my girls to eat more oyster shell and egg shell by offering it out of my hand. Anything Mama holds as a treat is worth eating! I have had the first eggs from two hens with incomplete and soft shells. I am trying all I can do to help them "get it right". Another hen is laying nice eggs, though not regularly yet. I feel for you all in the heat, we have only been around 90, which is still hot for here.