Thin egg shells!!!

[bertogomus]

That's too much treats. I'd recommend entirely cutting out treats until you see shell improvement.

My birds will go after tossed pellets. And like my dog, they think their normal feed softened with water is magically delicious.

May I ask what you feed your birds? And I do add water which they do loke

 

[MadGardener]

May I ask what you feed your birds? And I do add water which they do loke

My area has some issues with the same feeds always being available. I have a rooster in my flock so I don't use layer feed since it has more calcium than he can process.

I prefer pelleted feed, but this is 100% opinion. The bags I prefer usually contain the words "All Flock." I look for 18-20% protein. My chickens are on rotating pasture and I provide approx 1/4 lb per chicken free choice dawn to dusk. I also offer oyster shell and crushed egg shell in a separate container. And another separate container with grit.

I feed a small amount of kitchen/garden scraps, but it's very little since I try very hard not to waste any food. I offer a vitamin supplement on occasion. I am offering scratch but plan to stop once my current bag is empty. If the chickens got one of these yesterday, I won't give them any today.

Other feeds with other words are fine. "Chick Starter" or "Grower" would give a similar protein level. If you have only adult hens, layer feed is fine and higher protein formulas are often labeled "Feather Fixer."

The protein level of the feed is likely not as important as calcium. I opt to get oyster shell instead of relying on egg shell. My thought is that the chickens need to use some of the calcium they eat for their own bodies. The egg shells would then pro ide less calcium over time unless you have another source.

 

[bertogomus]

My area has some issues with the same feeds always being available. I have a rooster in my flock so I don't use layer feed since it has more calcium than he can process.

I prefer pelleted feed, but this is 100% opinion. The bags I prefer usually contain the words "All Flock." I look for 18-20% protein. My chickens are on rotating pasture and I provide approx 1/4 lb per chicken free choice dawn to dusk. I also offer oyster shell and crushed egg shell in a separate container. And another separate container with grit.

I feed a small amount of kitchen/garden scraps, but it's very little since I try very hard not to waste any food. I offer a vitamin supplement on occasion. I am offering scratch but plan to stop once my current bag is empty. If the chickens got one of these yesterday, I won't give them any today.

Other feeds with other words are fine. "Chick Starter" or "Grower" would give a similar protein level. If you have only adult hens, layer feed is fine and higher protein formulas are often labeled "Feather Fixer."

The protein level of the feed is likely not as important as calcium. I opt to get oyster shell instead of relying on egg shell. My thought is that the chickens need to use some of the calcium they eat for their own bodies. The egg shells would then pro ide less calcium over time unless you have another source.

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your input!! This is gong t change my whole operation!

 

[MadGardener]

You're welcome. Let us know how it goes after a couple weeks. Good luck!

 

[DarJones]

micronutrients are probably the source of this problem. Zinc, Magnesium, and phosphorous comprise about 3.5% of a healthy egg shell. Lack of zinc in their diet will cause thin shells. Look around for a zinc supplement. Do a search on the net and there are several articles about the importance of zinc in eggshell structure.

Also, be aware that a couple of viruses can impact chicken health with thin shells as a result.

 

[bertogomus]

Which virus can do that? I’ll look into a supplement also