two hens: one lays perfect eggs, other one's have weak, cracked spot

[pbwhit]

I have two gorgeous year-old Light Brahma hens. Colette lays a smooth brown egg. Cookie's eggs initially were a bit speckled. For two weeks now, they've had a quarter-sized soft spot, and if Colette lays after Cookie, she sits on Cookie's egg and crushes it. They are both getting oyster shell, layer crumbles, added organic soft and hard whole-grain wheat and have access to the garden. sometimes for tomatoes and various greens. Could it be that Colette is hogging all the oyster shell?

 

[Wynette]

If you have free-choice oyster shell, Cookie should be eating all that she needs. Is she a fairly new layer? If so, I wouldn't worry, as it often takes several weeks for their plumbing to get all in gear for laying.

 

[pbwhit]

She just got going about six weeks ago. But, I've been added a couple of tablespoons of oyster shell to their breakfast and dinner. Sounds like I should just put a bunch of it out, free choice, to make sure they are getting what they need. Thanks so much for your answer.

 

[vnploveschickens]

Its a much better idea to put the oyster shell in a separate dish for free choice eating. Some girls need more calcium than others. They will eat whatever they need to. Somehow they know..........

 

[LynneP]

Is it also possible that the hen with weak shells is hogging more treats? I fell into this trap with so much summer produce and I've reduced treats to about 10% of that they get...