Why am I getting fragile eggs?

[coopdeville15]

When I first started with chickens a few years ago, all the eggs were very hard shelled. Almost never had a broken egg. Now I'm losing eggs to breakage like crazy and several are thin shelled. I have always had free choice oyster crushed shell and feed a good quality organic layer pellet feed. My mixed flock of 16 hens range in age from 2 to 3 + years in age. I don't think I have a predator problem as my coop and run is surrounded by electric chicken net fencing and I don't see signs of digging to get under it. The coop is always open, but surrounded by said fence. There are certainly lots of predators in the area, I often trap raccoons and possums that are usually after our outdoor cats' food. What are your suggestions?

 

[Ruralhideaway]

You'll get more educated replies than mine but I'm curious, did this begin after unusually hot weather? My girls almost all layed weak shells after a hot spell that lasted about 4 days. Their water consumption went way up and I theorize they flushed calcium reserves faster than they replaced them.

 

[True Patriot]

Predators are most likely not the cause. What are you feeding? A balanced layer feed supplemented with free choice oyster shell would be a good choice if not already used. Heat and age can also be factors. Supplementing their water with electrolytes and vitamins is always a good option when not sure how to proceed.

 

[coopdeville15]

I feed Natures Best or Dumor Organic layer pellets. I've always had crushed oyster shell available as free choice. The egg shells became fragile before the heat of summer. Not all of the eggs have fragile shell, I have several varieties of chicken breeds. What sort of vitamins/electrolytes do you suggest?

 

[oregonkat]

Watching! I have one EE that lays a fragile, very rough shelled egg. All the others lay beautifully. I got rid of my roo as he was pretty hard on the favorite hens about a week ago but the shell situation with this one hen has not improved.
Interested to see what others say!
I also feed 20% protein Flock Raiser, oystershell free choice, free range hens!

 

[True Patriot]

I feed Natures Best or Dumoor Organic layer pellets. I've always had crushed oyster shell available as free choice. The egg shells became fragile before the heat of summer. Not all of the eggs have fragile shell, I have several varieties of chicken breeds. What sort of vitamins/electrolytes do you suggest?

I use poultry cell. I also mix sav-a-chick electrolytes into the water. I give the vitamins twice a week and the electrolytes every other day when temps are above 90°f. I mix the vitamins as directed, electrolytes at 1/2 recommend strength. (just as a boost)
This I do for general health maintenance, it most likely will not cure fragile eggs. If you're already using layer/oyster and it started before the heat my only other idea is age.

 

[coopdeville15]

Actually, I think some of the fragile eggs are from some of the younger hens (second season layers) , many of them are the largest eggs.

 

[NonnasBabies]

I can't help you sorry...

I would have suggested the heat too since our summer has been completely brutal this year but you say it started before the fires of damnation paid us a call this summer it's def not that! I'd keep doing what your doing with the good feed and oyster shell. Hopefully they'll straighten themselves out!!

 

[GrannyC]

Maybe a some plain yogurt for a treat and calcium boost?

 

[Ruralhideaway]

The only other thing that comes to mind is that certain respiratory infections cause weak shells.

Still following, this is an interesting thread