Thinner egg shells

[Isa mom]

My Isa reds are about 18 months old. Recently some of their shells have become thinner. Today one broke in the nest. They eat 20 percent lay pellets combined with 22 percent crumbles,free choice. Oyster shells are available at all times. They free range 4 to 5 hours a day when l'm home. I think they may be getting ready for their first moult. I read that Isas need more calcium because of how much they lay. Anyone else experience this?

 

[Chicks in VA]

it might just be the cold not 100% sure but they might just be molting which could make the eggs thinner this happened to me once and i never figured out what was wrong so it might just be nature hope this helps, better luck in the future

 

[Ursuline Chick]

My Isa reds are about 18 months old. Recently some of their shells have become thinner. Today one broke in the nest. They eat 20 percent lay pellets combined with 22 percent crumbles,free choice. Oyster shells are available at all times. They free range 4 to 5 hours a day when l'm home. I think they may be getting ready for their first moult. I read that Isas need more calcium because of how much they lay. Anyone else experience this?

Hi @Isa mom I know crushed oyster shells should be enough, but we also crush egg shells as well and offer free choice. It has been a while since we have had thin or shelless egg problems. Just a thought.

 

[aart]

My Isa reds are about 18 months old. Recently some of their shells have become thinner. Today one broke in the nest. They eat 20 percent lay pellets combined with 22 percent crumbles,free choice. Oyster shells are available at all times. They free range 4 to 5 hours a day when l'm home. I think they may be getting ready for their first moult. I read that Isas need more calcium because of how much they lay. Anyone else experience this?

We answer you here, in case you missed it:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/isa-brown-pullets-soft-shelled-eggs.1255838/post-25093112

Probably just those weird eggs you can get as they slow production for winter break and to molt.
I'm assuming that you are in the northern hemisphere.

I assume the 22 % crumbles are not a layer feed - therefor about 1% calcium. If so, a 50:50 mix of layer and another feed will yield 2.5% calcium, not the 4% suggested for a layer feed. If at 18 months, your birds are prolific and building lots of egg shells, that discrepancy could be the root of the problem. And if all your birds are that age, 21% protein is really too high for them. You may be detecting an ammonia smell coming from the bedding due to the excess protein they don't need being shed in the feces.

ETA - to correct an error I made differentiating between calcium and protein. Sometimes my ancient brain gets addled.

 

[Isa mom]

Hi @Isa mom I know crushed oyster shells should be enough, but we also crush egg shells as well and offer free choice. It has been a while since we have had thin or shelless egg problems. Just a thought.

Thanks