"turtle" shelled eggs

[The 2 Chicks]

We have three mature Barred Rock and two Rhode Island Red hens. One of the Rocks is laying eggs with paper thin shells and rubbery inner membranes. Have narrowed it down to one of two. Before we send our suspect to the freezer we would really like some advice. Every one of our 9 hens (and two Roosters) are getting the same feed and other supplements because they are not free-range.

 

[junebuggena]

How old?

 

[The 2 Chicks]

The rocks and reds were a year in March.

 

[junebuggena]

Have they been wormed? A heavy parasite load can affect a hen's ability to absorb calcium and other nutrients, causing shell-less eggs.
It could be because it's just about time for molting. It's also not uncommon for shell less eggs to be laid just before or after molting.

 

[The 2 Chicks]

No we didn't. We got the poultry in 2014 to supplement our groceries as we are both seniors on a limited SSA budget. The whole idea was to make the flock self-sustaining; and sell any excess eggs. Our weather has also been so off-the-wall the girls didn't stop laying last winter that wasn't, nor did they molt. Some still don't have all the feathers back. Worming would force us to dispose of the eggs and pay outrageous prices at the store.

 

[junebuggena]

Pullets normally don't molt and continue to lay through there first winter. Once they are over a year old, they start annual molts. Increasing their protein intake can help speed up the time it takes them to regrow their feathers and get back to laying. Some hens resume laying normally once they finish molting, others don't start laying again until spring is on the way. As far as worming goes, if you choose to worm, then you can't eat the eggs for a couple weeks, but once the medication clears their systems, the eggs are fine to eat again. If it works and keeps them healthy and producing, it's cheaper than raising and feeding a batch of chicks to laying age. It's all part of basic animal husbandry. Don't cull a bird just because it lays the occasional rubber egg.

 

[The 2 Chicks]

That's pretty much what we had discovered. Stockpiling eggs for own use and will worm.
Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[The 2 Chicks]

Laying her usual large speckled shell eggs again. No losses for a week now. Still going to do the worming ASAP so we can sanitize the whole coop and put down fresh bedding.
Any recommendations on when to let the older girls start our next generation?

 

[junebuggena]

Production starts to drop off after their second summer, so now would be a good time to start researching incubators. If you have girl that tends to be broody, then you can try to set some eggs under her in the spring. Don't give her more eggs than she can keep completely covered, and mark the clutch. If you let her brood in the nest box, you will have to check for eggs that have been added by other hens and remove them.

 

[The 2 Chicks]

Good to know, thanks. Have two outstanding brooders, one is a Rock and the other is a 6 mo. old goldie (breed unknown); just know that she is a "hatchery" choice that is one of 5. The rooster has a pea comb and only one of the four pullets is laying so far.
Will take and post photos so maybe someone can identify the breed.