Thin Egg Shells

[thechickenman6996]

If you specifically want to make sure the eggshells thicken up enough to hatch, but are worried about the effects of extra calcium on the roo, you might want to try layer feed if that's the most available option, and then ramp down off of it once you're not trying to gather eggs for hatching. Or you could possibly dilute down the calcium a little by feeding a combination of layer and whatever you're currently using, though that still may not improve shell quality enough.

Other option would be to use calcium tablet intended for humans, but that's going to take some micromanagement too as you'd need to manually feed it to the hens on a scheduled basis.


Can you specify what type of rock you're using? If it's limestone, yes that provides calcium. Granite, which is often sold as nonsoluable grit, does not.

If you specifically want to make sure the eggshells thicken up enough to hatch, but are worried about the effects of extra calcium on the roo, you might want to try layer feed if that's the most available option, and then ramp down off of it once you're not trying to gather eggs for hatching. Or you could possibly dilute down the calcium a little by feeding a combination of layer and whatever you're currently using, though that still may not improve shell quality enough.

Other option would be to use calcium tablet intended for humans, but that's going to take some micromanagement too as you'd need to manually feed it to the hens on a scheduled basis.


Can you specify what type of rock you're using? If it's limestone, yes that provides calcium. Granite, which is often sold as nonsoluable grit, does not

If you specifically want to make sure the eggshells thicken up enough to hatch, but are worried about the effects of extra calcium on the roo, you might want to try layer feed if that's the most available option, and then ramp down off of it once you're not trying to gather eggs for hatching. Or you could possibly dilute down the calcium a little by feeding a combination of layer and whatever you're currently using, though that still may not improve shell quality enough.

Other option would be to use calcium tablet intended for humans, but that's going to take some micromanagement too as you'd need to manually feed it to the hens on a scheduled basis.


Can you specify what type of rock you're using? If it's limestone, yes that provides calcium. Granite, which is often sold as nonsoluable grit, does not.

I use granite, works just fine the shells are the thickest ive ever seen them get

 

[aart]

I use granite, works just fine the shells are the thickest ive ever seen them get

That's great, but the granite is not what's making the egg shells thick.
Granite grit is for help in grinding feed in the gizzard.

 

[WallyG74]

Use layer feed.

 

[Teresa D]

Really? Here even Walmart carries it.
As I understand it is not necessarily oyster shell. Risemarythyme has more experience though while I wonder how folks feed whole calcium tablets (from the people vitamin aisle) to the hens. It's not like you could grab a chicken by the scruff of the neck.

I bought calcium citrate (easily digestible) in capsule form open it and put it in cottage cheese. FYI to feed egg shells you must bake them first to change their consistency so the birds won’t know it’s an egg. I feed cooked eggs to my girls for protein.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Check around your area for a livestock feed store for oyster shell. Not grit; you need oyster shell.

I've had my flock on layer pellets once they're past 18 weeks of age, roosters too. They do fine. And I still offer oyster shell on the side, just in case the girls need it. The roosters don't bother it.

 

[Organic Gal]

I have been having a thin shell issue with only one of my Barred rock girls whos 2 years old. They break very easy if another egg lands on it. They have crushed egg shells and oyster shells available all the time and I feed layer feed. How much calcium tablets or mg should I feed the one with thin shells and how often??

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have been having a thin shell issue with only one of my Barred rock girls whos 2 years old. They break very easy if another egg lands on it. They have crushed egg shells and oyster shells available all the time and I feed layer feed. How much calcium tablets or mg should I feed the one with thin shells and how often??

You can give her a calcium citrate tablet like this one: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/soft-damaged-eggs.1452762/#post-24179334 once a day, until shell quality improves. Given the bird's age my guess is she's heading into molt so that can cause some egg issues to pop up that weren't an issue before.

 

[Organic Gal]

You can give her a calcium citrate tablet like this one: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/soft-damaged-eggs.1452762/#post-24179334 once a day, until shell quality improves. Given the bird's age my guess is she's heading into molt so that can cause some egg issues to pop up that weren't an issue before.

Its been about a month or more that its been happening. Some days its better than others. thanks

 

[dc95123]

I have a problem hen that lays more thin-shelled eggs than good ones. She would lay the occasional bad egg when she was younger but it's much worse now. It's so bad that the other hens are gathering around the nest after she lays to eat what's left of her egg.

I've tried feeding her shell grit, eggshells, scrambled eggs and calcium carbonate + D3 tablets - nothing is working. Short of taking her to the vet, we are running out of options and might have to send her away. Would calcium citrate tablets be a better solution than calcium carbonate?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I've tried feeding her shell grit, eggshells, scrambled eggs and calcium carbonate + D3 tablets - nothing is working. Short of taking her to the vet, we are running out of options and might have to send her away. Would calcium citrate tablets be a better solution than calcium carbonate?

Since you've already tried different methods of supplying calcium, most likely the issue is with her shell gland so adding more calcium will not help, as she's not utilizing it properly.