Thin shells - hereditary?

[aart]

The first part says, ACV increases calcium absorption but then it says, the acidity inhibits calcium absorption. So which is it?

Key is heat stress in summer....I guess.....I dunno.
Maybe @ChickenCanoe knows if the scratch and peck web page that @GC-Raptor posted is valid.

IMO using ACV is a bit of a 'fad' and often mis- and/or over-used and over promoted.
Many do not understand that it's Active Cider Vinegar that can help with adding probiotics to the diet.

 

[WaveyCreekChickens]

I normally support Scratch n Peck, but I am rather confused by that article about ACV. The first part says, ACV increases calcium absorption but then it says, the acidity inhibits calcium absorption. So which is it?

I understand in the summer AC CAN inhibit calcium absorption, so add it in the cooler months.

 

[VictoriaTemple]

I had a blue Cochin that laid very thin-shelled eggs, and very rarely too. I suspect she had a defective shell gland, and had a vitamin D deficiency. I can’t say for sure, that was my working theory. Unfortunately she succumbed to a respiratory infection just before New Years, but I had her on Caltrate with vitamin D3 and she was showing some improvement.

However, I think it’s highly improbable that ALL your girls could have the same birth defect unless they are closely related and badly bred. Is that a possibility?

I would be curious if there is something in your soil or water that prevents calcium or vitamin D absorption.You should find a local avian vet and ask them if they are aware of issues in the area.

Good luck!

 

[WaveyCreekChickens]

I had a blue Cochin that laid very thin-shelled eggs, and very rarely too. I suspect she had a defective shell gland, and had a vitamin D deficiency. I can’t say for sure, that was my working theory. Unfortunately she succumbed to a respiratory infection just before New Years, but I had her on Caltrate with vitamin D3 and she was showing some improvement.

However, I think it’s highly improbable that ALL your girls could have the same birth defect unless they are closely related and badly bred. Is that a possibility?

I would be curious if there is something in your soil or water that prevents calcium or vitamin D absorption.You should find a local avian vet and ask them if they are aware of issues in the area.

Good luck!

I will look up Caltrare and see if I can get that here (we ecer have all the choices in Canada).
It is highly likely that my girls are all sisters or half sisters AND badly bred.
I was the beginner buying from a beginner breeder.
About the soil, I should find out from neighbours if they have the same issue.
Thanks so much, @VictoriaTemple !

 

[WaveyCreekChickens]

I had a blue Cochin that laid very thin-shelled eggs, and very rarely too. I suspect she had a defective shell gland, and had a vitamin D deficiency. I can’t say for sure, that was my working theory. Unfortunately she succumbed to a respiratory infection just before New Years, but I had her on Caltrate with vitamin D3 and she was showing some improvement

What form of caltrate did you use and how did you give it to her?

 

[aart]

My chickens diet is organic layer and a bit of scratch, bits of fruit and any bugs and scraps they find. They have access to oystershells and crushed eggshells. They get a snack plate with any leftover bread or other scraps at night, that I add a little ground up oystershell to. I do believe they should have enough calcium.

Do they eat the shells?
Am guessing it's the diet.
With Scratch and Peck the can miss the vitamins/minerals/amino acids,
can be best to feed that feed wetted.

 

[WaveyCreekChickens]

Do they eat the shells?
Am guessing it's the diet.
With Scratch and Peck the can miss the vitamins/minerals/amino acids,
can be best to feed that feed wetted.

I used to serve their feed wetted only, for the first year. They had the thin shelled egg- problem then too. I ran out of time to do that, since I am milking goats now. I can see that they pick and choose from the dry layer feed, and there is a lot of waste. But with wet feed I had to get them to eat it all right away, because it would freeze, then I had to do dishes... So, more waste now, but more time, and same results on the eggshell front.
Some of them I see picking up eggshell and oystershell - the ones who lay good eggs! (no surprise).

 

[VictoriaTemple]

I will look up Caltrare and see if I can get that here (we ecer have all the choices in Canada).
It is highly likely that my girls are all sisters or half sisters AND badly bred.
I was the beginner buying from a beginner breeder.
About the soil, I should find out from neighbours if they have the same issue.
Thanks so much, @VictoriaTemple !

I was the beginner buying from the beginner too, she was one of my first. Big mistake. Out of 7 birds, only my Easter Egger roo survives, and I thank God for him every day! The 4 Cochins all died, the blue hen was the last and outlived her brother and sisters by a year.

I gave her ordinary calcium/D3 supplement made for humans (I used Caltrate brand, I don’t know what brands you have in Canada). I will have to check the dosage, I left the bottle in the coop.

 

[WaveyCreekChickens]

I was the beginner buying from the beginner too, she was one of my first. Big mistake. Out of 7 birds, only my Easter Egger roo survives, and I thank God for him every day! The 4 Cochins all died, the blue hen was the last and outlived her brother and sisters by a year.

I gave her ordinary calcium/D3 supplement made for humans (I used Caltrate brand, I don’t know what brands you have in Canada). I will have to check the dosage, I left the bottle in the coop.

Thanks for the advice.
Right now I am trying apple cider vinegar in their water for a week. If it doesn’t make a difference, I’ll try the Caltrate. I should be able to get it here.

 

[WaveyCreekChickens]

And I am sorry about your loss @VictoriaTemple .