Hi Everyone: I have nine hens, all different breeds. They are all healthy, have a very large pen with trees, bushes and lots of room to run and play. I feed them laying crumbles with treats of fruit and vegetables. What is odd is that some of the egg shells are very thin while others are very thick. Is it normal for some chickens to lay eggs with very thin shells? They all appear very healthy in terms of their behavior, appetite etc. thanks.... Geri in Palo Alto, Ca
Those hens who lay thin shelled eggs generally are the biggest eaters of snacks and eat less of their laying feed. Until they all are laying eggs with firm shells, I'd be back feeding eggs shells, offering oyster shell on the side, and severely limiting the snacks, scratch, or treats. Once the shells get harder, limit their treats to 5% of their caloric intake. Once you've hit 10% of the diet, the shells have a tendency to go thin because they are filling up on stuff that isn't helping their shell hardness.
I feed oyster shells on the side. My two that are laying have nice and strong shells. They seem to really enjoy the oyster shell.
Thanks..this is helpful. I will get oyster shell again. I stopped offering it after a while. And, I will cut back on the treats.... Thanks Geri
