Why would she suddenly start laying soft shelled eggs?

[Yay Chicks!]

I noticed issues with soft shell in just one of my birds following my last purchase of Layena...but that also coincided with the time when one of my other birds was getting all her neck feathers plucked out and eaten and I wondered if there was a protein issue. I'm about ready to change feed to see if there is a difference.

 

[EquestrianGal]

mine just turned 2 this Spring, too. so I really hope this is just a temporary thing (I think she may also be starting to molt, so I am hoping that ends up being the problem).

 

[Celtic Chick]

From TSC website:
Layena:
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein (min.) 16.00%, Calcium (Ca) (min.) 3.25%, Calcium (Ca) (max.) 4.25%, Lysine (min.) 0.55%, Methionine (min.) 0.25%, Fat (min.) 2.50%, Fiber (max.) 7.00%, Phosphorus (P) (min.) 0.50%, Vitamin A 3,000 IU/lb, Vitamin E 10.50 IU/lb .

Du-Mor:
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein (min.) 16.00%, Calcium (Ca) (min.) 3.80%, Calcium (Ca) (max.) 4.80%, Lysine (min.) .70%, Methionine (min.) .35%, Crude Fat (min.) 2.50%, Crude Fiber (max.) 7.00%, Phosphorus (P) (min.) .50%, Salt (NaCl) (min.) .25%, Salt (NaCl) (max.) .75%, Ruminant meat and bone meal free.

 

[isabrownmom]

Count my hen among the 2 year olds having soft shell issues. They free range all day, have access to calcium and water so I am at my wits end trying to figure it out! My other 4 have figured out that eggs are yummy so i am lucky to get 2-3 eggs a day from my 5 hens.

 

[snowflake]

I also am having this problem, it is interesting to note most of us are using layana , with oyster shell on the side. I have a BO and EE that are laying soft shell, I have been adding fish,eggs, and other protein to try to improve shells, my BO has gone from jell shells to just soft shells, I am going to switch feeds this week and see if that is the problem. Perhaps something in, or out of the Layana is not agreeing with some of our birds

oh, I also read hens can eat banana peals, extra potassium? I have added that, could be helping also???

 

[EquestrianGal]

I don't use Layena, I get my feed from Southern States, but I will check the bag--might have the same percentages.

Seems like most of us free range during the day, as well. Maybe it has to do with there not being quite enough food source yet for freeranging (but enough to keep them from eating their feed)? Who knows.

I have given banana peels to my chickens, but I don't think they have ever actually done much with them. I will try again, see what happens. (I have a toddler, so we go through a LOT of bananas.)

 

[ksmith]

I am having the SAME issue! I ahve solved the problem of the one egg eater. It is the hen that lays the paper thin eggs. I found one last night ont eh bottom of the coop, it was apper thin, but not eaten! Yay!

EDIT: I am also using Layena...

 

[Celtic Chick]

Mine haven't free-ranged since the fall, so that kinda shoots that theory for me, anyway. Although free ranging would severely dilute the concentration of calcium the hens were getting in a day.
I give my girls a whole banana a day & it hasn't done anything for their egg woes.
Snowflake, the extra protein won't help their shells any. Calcium & vitamin D3 is what a chicken needs for strong shells.
Ksmith, how did you ever break them of egg eating?

 

[binza1979]

Sounds like I need to monitor her calcium intake. She also looks like she is starting to molt.

What treats are high in calcium?

 

[Celtic Chick]

Quote:
Milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, turnip greens, dandelion leaves, parsley & spinach.
I make my girls oatmeal every morning with some milk, and throw a good tbsp. of powdered milk in it too.