[Carla]

One of my ex-batts has started laying eggs with rough, really weak shells. If the egg hasn't broken in the coop, it does as I'm fetching it out (one happy dog, one messy dressing gown :/). She's eating fine, has all her shell and grit. Could this just be an old age thing? I had her in august, and she's an ex-batt, so she was already nearly 2 (I think).

[billathome65]

Best advice I have received is this =

"Laying hens require calcium for egg shells. During the laying season, put a pile or box of crushed clam shells in their pen. Crushed clam shells are available at most local feed/farm stores. If you scatter the clam shells too much, you won't know when the hens need more until you see paper-thin shells. Egg shells also work for the calcium, but you run the risk of the birds learning to eat their own eggs. To avoid this your should crush the shells so that they don't look like eggs.

[orchardlady]

Hi Carla.

I to have an older hen that is the same type as an ex battery bird but 've had her since POL. She to lays very thin shelled eggs that are slightly rough in texture although hers are not so fragile that hey break extremely easily. I put it down to age. She is fit and well otherwise. If it were a younger hen I would suspect a respiratory problem. All my birds have access to Oyster hell and Poultry Grit and also free range so it's not because they are short of that.