[stickmeup]

Just collected this evening from the hen house  :blink:

[Sparkyrog]

They are an occasional event ! Make sure your birds have enough oyster shell and grit 

[Chrysalis]

Ours lay nothing else but this type nowadays.  They have layers mash, grit, greens and access to all sorts in their run, but as they've got older, this is what we get.  Mostly they are so thin shelled that they break and the girls get a free meal. Grr!

We 've just decided to not replace them until the Spring, so it's going to be an expensive Winter, with feeding and no eggs.

[Sparkyrog]

I am from a farming background and not sentimental about chickens ! if thats the case its culling time and replace with POL .

[compostqueen]

If they are laying I'd keep them.   There's nothing wrong with that egg other than it has ridges.

[stickmeup]

First one I've seen and mine have only been at point of lay now for around 14-16 months, so its certainly not old age, will keep an eye out, getting plenty of everything they need

[joyfull]

please can you all make sure that you have a pot of crushed oyster shells available, grit is used for grinding their food but oyster shell slowly dissolves and provides your birds with calcium.
As birds get older they will lay thinner shells and odd shapes which is nothing to worry about but keep an eye on your bird to ensure the eggs don't break inside them.

[wil4025]

Think you will find that any problems with eggs is probably to do with some point when it was in them being made, they got scared of something.

[Chrysalis]

Thanks for that Joy, but we do have plenty of grit and such for them.  That being said, we've had one proper egg and one ridged one in two days 

I would be like Sparky and get rid, but my OH is adamant that they live out their natural lives...  Just going to have to spend my pocket money on them, I guess!

[Sparkyrog]

First one I've seen and mine have only been at point of lay now for around 14-16 months, so its certainly not old age, will keep an eye out, getting plenty of everything they need

if it is over a year old it is not POL !

[Casey76]

Hi Stickmeup; if you have comerical hens (farmyard red or black (or grey these days!)), then after laying for 14-16 months, then they are definitely coming towards the end of their laying days.

Commerical red hens are considered "spent" after 80 weeks, and it at this point when the farmers get rid and start a new batch off.

Also, just in case you weren't aware (and I apologise if you are), 3-4 years is considered a very good age for commerical hens, though you do get the odd one living for up to 8 years... though most will stop laying by the time they are 2 years old.