What is going on?

[rancher hicks]

I have 4 count them, 4 Delawares. One of them, at least I believe it's one is laying "skin" eggs or eggs with very thin shells. The other three, at least I beleive it's the other three are laying good sized decent eggs.
I have had 4 eggs just like today, but today one of them was thin. It was odd shaped and when I ate it for breakfast I noticed it was thin shelled. The egg didn't look like the usual egg but I fried it and ate it anyway. It was a big sized egg too.
They all eat the same thing for feed and they are free range.
I have given them oyster shells. So what gives?
By the way, of these 4 Delawares, I'm averageing 3.7 eggs a day. Not to bad I think.

 

[Eggs4Sale]

3.7? So the thin egg shell cause you to lose .3?

Just kidding!
I dunno what the answer is.
Maybe putting this back on the board will get an answer. It's been a slow week...

 

[Year of the Rooster]

How many of these has she layed? It may just be stress or they possibly need more calcium in their diet (Oyster Shell). Sometimes, flukes in their system just happens. No big deal. I got them sometimes at one time, but now I don't have them any more.

 

[rancher hicks]

Egg4sale, aren't you just funny! And Brad, flukes are worms. Are you saying my chickens have worms?! I'll have you know I only have very high classed chickens and they don't get worms!
My neighbor keeps some low classed birds and if I find any of them hanging around they're history. And if I find one of my girls is sneaking over to his place she's history. I will not have low classed chickens, period!

 

[Portia]

Maybe all that stress from having to uphold that 'high class' status is causing a bit of stress on one of the hens. Y'know, not everyone has the stamina for that kind of lifestyle. Next thing you know she'll be getting piercings and tattoos, better get her under control before you have a real rebel on your hands....maybe some drugs for better high class living?


Seriously though, how long have they been laying? My flock free ranges and I've found that with a bit of supplemental layer crumbles they don't seem to need or want oyster shells, at least not in the traditional form (we throw any muscle/oyster/clam shells from dinners into the dry wash and the girls do like to carry them around the yard). I have received a few thin shelled eggs, but those have been from new layers and resolve once they get the whole process worked out.

 

[rancher hicks]

I don't eat mussells, and I didn't know that living a "puritanical" life style was stressful. I think what they need is more sermons by Reverend Al. Lord when he preaches the whole neighborhood can hear him. He can really send those sinner chickens running and squaking.

Seriously though these are older girls and I've have had them for about a month. My new layers are laying hard enough shells though I did find three skin eggs at the beginning.
I know there is a disease that can cause this, so I thought I'd ask the experienced. Which is you.

 

[chickflick]

I have an Isa that's been laying nothing but thin shelled eggs for months now. Out of 25 chickens, she's the only one. Again, eats the same as the others, so it it a kink in their production line? I have just accepted that that is what she is going to do.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

I have one BO who is doing this also, but not sure which one. I have to start watching to see if she lays regular shelled eggs in between. I'm curious as to why this is happening. I give layer pellets along with daily hours of free ranging. I have added oyster shell to their run, but they are ignoring it. I hope someone has some ideas...

 

[rancher hicks]

I don't intend to keep feeding a chicken that isn't laying viable/eatable egg.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
Yes I know flukes are worms, but not that kind of fluke. By fluke I meant something like.. mishaps, kinks, random things.

And what makes your chickens so high class? ANY chicken can get worms regardless. They can get it from the environment or from wild birds. Even some of the HEALTHIEST most spoiled birds can get them, so don't think yours are any exception.