Years ago we tried raising our hens with much more in the way of scraps and treat type food that was lower price and easy to come by on the farm. Each morning we gave greens, fruit, corn, etc. to the hens with layer feed only now and then, they also had free choice oyster shell.
After a time the eggs and shell quality suffered and though not a scientific experiment in any way we went back to feeding almost only pellets and what "treats" they could come up with free ranging.
We began seeing very thin shelled eggs here and there as well as lumpy eggs with soft tops. Asked a friend and she pointed to how we were feeding as the issue. Lack or proper nutrients and calcium (yes they were passing it up) could be our only issue it was pointed out so with nothing to lose we switched back to the mill run layer feed as most of their diet.
Shell quality improved as did production.
What made us agree with her and go back to pellets to solve our problem was the fact that the hens seemed to wait for treats and stuff to eat and would pass on the layer feed knowing more treats were coming in the afternoon. We sure saved on feed, but.... Heck was young then and trying to get out of buying feed for the same reasons I wish we could now, but we have learned over many years that we do best feeding about 90% layer feed from the mill and a very small amount of treat type food as they hustle their own treats while terrorizing our property during the day. The folks that make these feeds know what they are doing in most cases and years of research has come up with very well balanced feed with everything they need to live healthy and lay well especially if the birds get out to run amok....
Again I am not saying anything except this was our experience.
We also only give treats mid-day so the girls eat layer pellets morning and before roost if hungry.
There are other reasons for the softies as mentioned, but thought I'd mention our experience.
