Thin-shelled eggs

[krusty50]

One of my chickens has always laid much larger eggs than her companions. She is a white sexlink crossed with a red. Her egg production slowed the most during the winter, and now that she is laying more consistently, her shells are very thin. All of the girls have access to oyster shells. She also appears to be molting. Should I be concerned?

 

[4 the Birds]

One of my chickens has always laid much larger eggs than her companions. She is a white sexlink crossed with a red. Her egg production slowed the most during the winter, and now that she is laying more consistently, her shells are very thin. All of the girls have access to oyster shells. She also appears to be molting. Should I be concerned?

Do you mix the oyster shells in with their feed? Not sure why just one would lay thin shells. I believe standard layer feed also has calcium if that is what you feed.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

An egg shell contains about 2g of calcium regardless of egg size. Therefore, a smaller egg will always have a harder shell than a very large one. Since your hen has always laid larger eggs, it makes sense that her egg shells will be thinner. Also, it sounds as if she's an older hen. Calcium absorption is reduced in older hens, so they can lay thinner shelled eggs. You can give her more calcium, and it might help.