Weak Shells

[Ceb0f3]

I have one Black Copper Maran (she is only about 10 most old) who recently (on/off last 6 mos) started laying thin shelled eggs; sometimes so thin they are practically not there. I have 9 hens and all get same diet of layer feed with added oyster shells and their own shells back, afternoon snack of Grublies (loaded with calcium) and no one else has an issue (or ever has). Just when I think I have given her enough Calcium and she lays a normal egg, the entire next week, it's back to the thin shells. What else can I do? Thanks!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have one Black Copper Maran (she is only about 10 most old) who recently (on/off last 6 mos) started laying thin shelled eggs; sometimes so thin they are practically not there. I have 9 hens and all get same diet of layer feed with added oyster shells and their own shells back, afternoon snack of Grublies (loaded with calcium) and no one else has an issue (or ever has). Just when I think I have given her enough Calcium and she lays a normal egg, the entire next week, it's back to the thin shells. What else can I do? Thanks!

She may have a shell gland disorder, but that would be hard to know.
Have you tried giving her calcium like 1/2 tablet of Caltrate for 3-5 days to see if that makes any difference? You should not give her the calcium supplement long term since excess calcium can be damaging.

Has she ever had any respiratory symptoms?

 

[Ceb0f3]

I’ll look into the Caltrate, thanks! No respiratory symptoms, no recent stressors and it is not super hot here yet. She used to lay perfect eggs. I am just at a loss. I also read apple cider vinegar might help with calcium absorption?

 

[aart]

Strong shells are about more than just calcium,
but the grubblies claim to have a good calciumhosphorus ratio.
I thinj ACV can inhibit calcium absorption.
@ChickenCanoe is good at this stuff.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I’ll look into the Caltrate, thanks! No respiratory symptoms, no recent stressors and it is not super hot here yet. She used to lay perfect eggs. I am just at a loss. I also read apple cider vinegar might help with calcium absorption?

I would not add ACV, I too have read what @aart posted that it can inhibit calcium absorption. I would not do a lot of changes at once, just try one thing at a time and take it slow.

Extra calcium may not fix her problem, there are many things it could be, she may just have a shell gland disorder.

 

[Ceb0f3]

Thank you everyone!