Author Topic: Weak egg shells (Read 3894 times)

valantinas · « **on:** November 08, 2010, 11:02:56 am »

Hi
I've tried to find the answer on previous posts but unable to.
My hens are laying egg which have weak shells. Leaving grit for them but they dont eat it. The food they have says no grit is needed as its all in. Is there another suppliment I can give that willmake shells better?

Thanks

Fleecewife · « **Reply #1 on:** November 08, 2010, 11:23:38 am »

Ordinary grit helps with their crop action, oyster shell helps with shell quality. Having said that, there are apparently other causes of shell weakness such as infection. I am still learning here, bit I'm sure someone else can clarify.

BlueDaisy · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2010, 11:25:36 am »

you could also try adding limestone flour to their food

valantinas · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2010, 03:27:38 pm »

Just spoken to our food supplier to see if they sell any calcium suppliments. He advised that egg shells do go softer at this time of the year as it near the end of laying season

spikey_fridge · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2010, 04:35:49 pm »

i've started crushing up egg shells into their mash. they eat it all and then some. not had this problem yet

landroverroy · « **Reply #5 on:** November 09, 2010, 08:47:28 am »

weak shells, not caused by lack of grit, may be due to infectious bronchitis. You may notice respiratory problems or loose droppings but not always. The disease affects the oviduct, making the shells mishapen with fault marks on, and although birds will recover the shell will always be more fragile and imperfect than before. A simple treatment is aspirin (bird sized of course). Yes - I know you'll be thinking - how can a pain killer help? But it does.

Snapper · « **Reply #6 on:** November 09, 2010, 10:55:39 am »

landroverroy : How do you give them the asprin? We've a couple of hens that are laying thin/weak egg shells a

landroverroy · « **Reply #7 on:** November 15, 2010, 09:58:03 am »

Either use soluble aspirin in water - say about 1/2 tablet in 4 pints water and shake well. Just put out enough for them to drink each day. Or grind up an insoluble tablet and put it in enough food for about 10 hens. Not sure how long you're meant to feed it for. I would give it for a week. I prefer to give it in water because a bird will always drink, even if it's not feeling well and not eating.
Good luck.

shetlandpaul · « **Reply #8 on:** November 15, 2010, 10:41:18 am »

have they moulted yet. as other say give calcium flour. if caused by a bug and it does not improve then cull clean and start again. the obvious have you wormed them and giving a vit sup may help.