The Poultry Keeper The Independent Forum for Poultry Keepers    FAQ   Search     Register   Log in  Help Please - Egg Shells          The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> General & Misc Author Message buzz123 Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 16 Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 9:58 am    Post subject: Help Please - Egg Shells Hi All Hope this is in the right section? Any advice please on thin egg shells,just recently maybe a week or so i have noticed that sometimes the the egg shells are very thin. To the point on a couple of times they have broken in my hand when collecting,We only have 3 ladies and health wise they seem to be fine they have been staying in the run more just recently due to the bad weather but normaly they have the full run of the garden. Any advice most welcome. Cheers. Buzz123 Back to top Loudmouth Schnook Joined: 01 Nov 2005 Posts: 1606 Location: Back, Isle of Lewis Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 10:19 am    Post subject: Well, the first thing I would ask is: are they just starting to lay? I've gotten really soft eggshells or even thin ones when a pullet begins laying. If they have been laying normally and are older chooks, perhaps give them some extra grit? especially if they are staying in the run a lot more and aren't getting out to scratch much. Back to top buzz123 Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 16 Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 12:03 pm    Post subject: Thanks Loudmouth. They have been laying for about 4-5 months and as i say the problem has only just started,but i will try the grit. Cheers Buzz123 Back to top nikki green Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 78 Location: Gironde Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:32 pm    Post subject: Make sure they're getting enough calcium if they are laying, calcivet or calciboost could help. It maybe they are finishing laying, don't make the mistake that I made, one broke a leg due to a calcium deficency. She had been laying soft eggs on and off for months, but laid constantly for about 2 years, grit wasn't enough in our case. Natural yogurt is good too. Back to top CP Moderator Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 15925 Location: Hampshire Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 3:31 am    Post subject: Hopefully it will just be one of those things that happen from time to time. Back to top Henwife Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3413 Location: Monmouthshire Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 7:28 pm    Post subject: As well as giving ad lib access to mixed grit, I also dry and crush all egg shells and add them to the grit pots. Because they're crushed, the hens don't recognise them as having ever been eggs. Back to top mojo Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 10862 Location: GLENAY north deux sevre FRANCE Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:09 am    Post subject: you can buy calcium tablets from chemists/health food shops and crush onto food Back to top buzz123 Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 16 Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 7:08 pm    Post subject: Hi All. Thanks for all the great advice. Cheers Buzz123 Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> General & Misc All times are GMT + 1 Hour Page 1 of 1 Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group