[Geo]

Has anyone found there to be a thicker/stronger shell on a pure bred hens egg than a hybrids egg. I started off with 4 rhode rock hybrids and have lost 2 now to soft eggs there shells have always been on the thin side. They have been given all the usually suggested cure/ remedies. I am thinking of going for hens that don't lay as many eggs so they can build up the calcium for eggs production. I have 1 araucana that lays a good quality egg everytime

[tstainesmoore]

from my experience i havnt found any breed inparticular that lays a naturally good egg with a good shell in comparision to another, however the bigger the egg the thiner the shell would be regarless of breed. all birds will occasionally lay an odd weird egg for example one without a shell etc. this can also be common in elder birds as they can no longer process the calcium into shell for the egg, as hybrids will almost age quicker becuase they lay more this will more than likely occur sooner in comparison to pure breeds. hope that helps

[grinling]

Speckles, one of my oldies, has thin shell eggs. used to be lovely hard shells.

[Geo]

I have bought a product called shell max that claims to be formulated to improve shell thickness and strength during periods of nutritional stress. reduces shell fracture and hair line cracks, thin shelled eggs, uneven and pimpled shells.
I will try this and see if there is any improvement anyone else tried it ?

Corrrected spellin mistake must try harder

[Jomtie]

I have Googled Shell Mex but can't find it. Can you give us any more info? 

[DrGreenthumb]

we have a black rock (marjorie) and four rhode island red/light sussex cross (presidentjo annie linda and hannah) all lay well and very good eggs with good shells

[Geo]

I have Googled Shell Mex but can't find it. Can you give us any more info? 

Sorry Jomtie I made a mistake its called shell max. AFS animal care limited Thetford Norwich. Again sorry

[gingerplant]

I've always found that my Marans lay eggs with the hardest shells ... But only n=3 :-)

[joyfull]

and my araucanas shells are the hardest to break open 

[shetan]

we feed our 2 year old jerseys 'jollies' own brand layers - they don't get oyster shell any more as they don't use it. we no longer supplement their feed with any spices,oils ,extras. just acv in water twice a month.

they get free range on grass on a rotational basis and i have never had a soft shelled egg from these girls. the shells are beautifully formed, hard to crack and sometimes are difficult to split open after cracking!

[Geo]

I have been thinking about getting either marans or araucanas  joyfull and ginger plant  have confirmed that may be the way to go. I also had a PM giving the marans a good report.

[joyfull]

sorted then 

[Geo]

Update on shellmax.  I have been adding this product to the hens drinking water now
 for 11 days and there is an improvement in the shell thickness. I don't know if it would have sorted out the soft shell eggs that one of my hens laid as she died before they  started on the shellmax