Thin skinned eggs

[Mainer Chickens]

Hi all,

I'm a relatively new backyard chicken owner in Maine. We have a chicken that's normally a very productive layer - could depend on her for a daily brown egg. About 6 weeks ago she started laying thin shelled eggs, then a few weeks later found she could eat them! We've tried a bit of everything - ceramic egg to discourage her from eating them, oyster shells, grinding up clean egg shells and mixing them with berries, daily kale from the garden - and very occasionally the shell will be thicker, but not as hard as normal. I'm wondering if the heat may have something to do with it, or possibly that she's drinking less water and having trouble absorbing calcium (they won't typically go back to their run while free ranging so I put some small water dishes around the yard). She's also a picky eater, and now that she gets grass and bugs in the yard is eating less pellet food, which is where I mix in the oyster shell. What else can I try with her? As my husband says, we love having them but they're not pets and need to carry their weight just like our kids do!

 

[drumstick diva]

Gee I'd tell your husband the kids aren't laying eggs either. Thin shell, broken eggs, that's how most egg eaters get started. There are "roll away" type nest boxes, which do as they say, the eggs roll down where the hen won't see them. Or just pick up eggs more often. If you do replace eggs - put some golf balls in the nest. She won't be able to eat them.

Generally crushed oyster shell is just put out in a separate container and hens partake if they feel they need it. You may want to post at "Chicken behaviors and egg laying." for other suggestions.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X2 There is a nice article in the Learning Center on dealing with egg eating you might like to check out https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/six-tips-on-breaking-your-egg-eater
Heat stress can cause thin shelled eggs, MSU has a nice article on it http://msucares.com/poultry/feeds/poultry_thin_shells.html they do recommend adding extra calcium & vit supplement to the diet... make sure the oyster shell or whatever is of a size/type that is actually eaten by the hens, they can be picky about sizes.
Oyster shell is usually offered in an extra dish also, so hens can pick and choose if they need it.
You might try keeping her up for a few days / keeping her from free ranging/ eating other foods, so that she eats her layer pellets only and see if that helps the egg shells... would help to let you know if it is mostly diet related and not a calcium absorption or shell gland problem.
Do you know how old your hen is? Egg shells often are thinner in older birds, especially ones that lay large eggs. Some people do give problem hens extra calcium via tablets or liquid supplements
General article on egg shells http://www.nutrecocanada.com/docs/s...-formation-and-eggshell-quality-in-layers.pdf

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!