Weak Eggshell in One Spot

[406chickenlady]

We have five hens that are three years old. All have started laying again within the past month now that there is more light during the day. Four lay great eggs, with nice hard shells. However, one of our Red Stars has been laying eggs that are weak in one spot this year. This causes the egg to crack. She has never had problems with her eggs in previous years. All the girls get a layer feed with black soldier fly larvae as treats for extra calcium. I had to figure out another way to supplement calcium, as the spoiled ladies are not big fans of oyster shell. Has anyone else experienced this problem? (We have another Red Star who has no quality issues with her eggs.) Thanks for any insight!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

At 3 yrs of age, she may be having some difficulties. I'd provide the girls with oyster shell free choice. Look this girl over for lice/mites and consider getting a fecal float to rule out internal parasites.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you know exactly which bird is the problem bird, isolate her for a private breakfast. 2-3x a week serve a small bowl (like 1 Tbsp is fine) of wet or fermented feed with oyster shell mixed in. If she does not like chunks of oyster shell, crush it up or use the powdery remnants from bottom of the bag. Should only take her minutes to eat and after that she's free to go.

Assuming her issue is simply insufficient calcium intake, you should see results in a week or two, and you can try reducing it to 1-2x a week and should hopefully continue getting good results. If you still have the same issue, then you might need to try pills of calcium citrate instead for a faster, bigger calcium boost.

 

[406chickenlady]

Thank you both for your help! I checked her over, thankfully no mites or lice were spotted. I'll try to corner her to have her eat a oyster shell-feed mix by herself.