[cinders]

Hi, This is my first posting on the forum and I am hoping that one of you
wise old birds will be able to offer words of advice.
We have 6 chickens, 3 are ex battery farm birds and three are black rock cross. The black rock are now about 10 months old and I assume the battery birds will now be 2 years old. We have had all the birds for 6 months. They have an 8' x 6' shed  and an enclosed run which measures 24' by 12'. They are fed layers mash and I scatter several handfuls of mixed corn for them every day. They also have green vegetables.

They have been very consistent in their egg laying (once they got going) and we average 5 eggs a day. They didn't stop laying at all during the cold weather.

Now to the problem,      we are finding soft shelled eggs on the floor of the shed. This only started a few days ago and so far we have had four.

Could anyone tell me why this happens ? we don't know which hen it is as they all look very healthy and are all eating well.
Any help would be grateully received.

[pushrod]

lack of calcium - feed them mixed grit and crushed shells, also give them your old egg shells (crushed) and that will probs sort them out - good luck.

[LadyPlod]

I 'roast' the egg shells and crush them before I give them back to the ladies to try and disguise them!
LP

[babe]

I am hoping that one of you
wise old birds will be able to offer words of advice.

 :shock:  :shock:  :shock:

[babe]

oyster shell and grit ad lib, a little cod liver oil on their mash, will help them to absorb the calcium.

poutry spice and poultry drink will also give them an added boost.

i dont think giving them back their own eggshells is very common  these days. i would never consider doing it. and definately not raw.