Rhonda, I'd add poultry vitamins to their water and put out a handful of free choice oyster shell in the corner of their feed dish, (don't mix it in the feed). After you are sure they know what the oyster shell is for, you can put it out in a separate dish. Feeding back egg shells isn't enough supplemental calcium. If your pullets do not have enough calcium they draw the calcium from their bones. Laying mash doesn't always provide enough calcium and free choice oyster shell should be available at all times. Some people say they never provide oyster shell - makes me cringe inside for the hen's whose bodies have to use their calcium from their bones to make good hard egg shells. Some of the ingredients used in making chicken feed increases a hen's need for calcium too.
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/ourbooks/1/egg-quality-handbook/
From: "sidesaddle5@yahoo.com" <sidesaddle5@yahoo.com>
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2012 11:33 PM
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] soft shell egg question
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/ourbooks/1/egg-quality-handbook/
Cathryn rainbowsilkiesTM Michigan
From: "sidesaddle5@yahoo.com" <sidesaddle5@yahoo.com>
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2012 11:33 PM
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] soft shell egg question
Are some hens prone to soft-shelled eggs? I've now found 4 soft eggs in the last week. I've no way to tell who's laying them, but they've all been in the same vicinity and usually with similar shapes (kind of bottle-shaped, with a little flap at the end like the neck of a balloon), so I'm assuming it's probably the same hen.
The only worry I have is that I've found 2 broken--one squashed in a nest this morning (must have been laid late yesterday) and another (actually with a very thin shell) under the roost tonight. Sure don't want them to start eating them.
They are all getting layer pellets, as well as getting some of the crushed egg-shells back... Besides that, all the other eggs have very healthy shells, even a bit tough to crack sometimes!
Rhonda
Sidesaddle Hall of Famer
Five-time US National Sidesaddle Champion
The only worry I have is that I've found 2 broken--one squashed in a nest this morning (must have been laid late yesterday) and another (actually with a very thin shell) under the roost tonight. Sure don't want them to start eating them.
They are all getting layer pellets, as well as getting some of the crushed egg-shells back... Besides that, all the other eggs have very healthy shells, even a bit tough to crack sometimes!
Rhonda
Sidesaddle Hall of Famer
Five-time US National Sidesaddle Champion
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