thin shells in one hen

[Rockysmama]

I have a RIR that is laying very thin shelled eggs. This girl has egg yolk peritonitis (dx by vet), but so far is not acting sick at all--eats well and is active, just doesn't lay often. I have 6 others whose shells are normal thickness. I have been adding extra calcium to food for 2-3 weeks. Is it possible that stress would cause the RIR to not metabolize calcium well? How long after adding calcium to feed should I expect to see a change in shell quality? Is it better to do free choice feeding rather than adding it to feed so if they don't need it they won't get it, or will the ones who don't need it, just peck around it in feeder? Thanks for any advice!

Michigan Urban Chick (Wishing for sun!)

 

[dawg53]

i recommend you give all your hens some crushed oyster shell. you can put it in their feed and it should help in hardening their egg shells.check your local feed store for it or you can order it thru a hatchery.i order mine from meyer hatchery.

 

[ConchRepublic]

Quote:
I get it at Tractor Supply, one of my hens need it but not often. Just now and then. Works like a charm. Extra calcium is all the bird needs.

 

[teach1rusl]

I recently got a shelless egg. I laid off scraps/treats for a week. I served yogurt w/layer crumbles and a little oyster shell sprinkled/mixed in. More calcium and Vit. D. Normal eggs again now (although in my case, her problem was probably more a beginning layer issue...still wanted to address it in case).

 

[Imp]

Here are some other sources of calcium, if you want to supplement you hens diet more. Some birds do not eat the oyster shell well. Some people do not like to give oranges to chickens, and molasses can give chickens diarrhea. good luck.

And here's a link with more info about thin shells


http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/1/egg-quality-handbook/16/thinshelled-eggs-and-shellless-

Imp


Dairy foods
Milk, yogurt, cheese

Leafy green vegetables
Broccoli, kale, spinach

Fruits
Oranges

Beans and peas
Tofu, peanuts, peas, black beans, baked beans

Fish
Salmon, sardines

Miscellaneous
Sesame seeds, blackstrap molasses, corn tortillas, almonds, brown sugar

 

[Badlatitude]

That sounds like a pretty serious condition from what I just read about it. It can lead to pretty bad bacterial infections amother other issues. Maybe her body is working so hard trying to stay healthy she just isnt going to produce viable eggs?