Thin shelled broken egg... everyday

[LesGan]

Small flock with one roo, 3 adult hens and one baby....8 week old pullet, I think. One adult hen about 18 months old has always been somewhat unkept looking, seemingly brittle feathers, spots of missing feathers, bare bottom. She lays regularly but has had thin shelled eggs, and for the last few weeks they have been broken each day. I do not know if she is breaking them on purpose or if she is eating any of the egg. Of course a mess everyday to clean up.

I have searched the website and tried Tums one time, increased protein, and she does not seem to want the oyster shell available. I tried the dark cloth over boxes but that scared all the hens and I don't want them to not lay and get egg bound. My questions at this point:

Can she be rehabilitated to have stronger eggshells and not to break the eggs (if she is doing it on purpose)?

How often can you give a 1/2 tablet of Tums to boost calcium?

Would it help to cage her in the coop so I can control what she eats thus building calcium and protein?

She, Thelma, is a pet so I would really like to have her stay one of the flock. Thanks for any suggestions you might have. Leslie

 

[Judy]

Here are links to a couple of informative sites on egg problems. Hope you can find some help in them.


http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/ep127.pdf

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/ourbooks/1/egg-quality-handbook/

 

[purpletree23]

Are they eating laying feed? Make sure they have crushed oyster shells free choice in a separate container from the feed. Check for mites and lice on the chickens. This might be causing the feather problems. Mites and lice can also cause malnutrition. Get them on a regular worming schedule if you already haven't. It make a huge difference in their health.