⠀ Best layer feed?

Currently I'm feeding my chickens Nutrena Natures Own Layer Crumbles. After doing some research online I've seen some people complain about thin egg shells. I have one girl that is laying out of my 3. She's only laid 2 eggs but they were both rubber eggs.

Out of curiosity, are all layer feeds the same or do you find there is a difference in the quality, production and egg shell with different feeds. I'm eliminating table scraps until the shell issue is fixed. Thinking maybe they aren't getting enough calcium. I did just put out oyster shell for them as well.

Where egg shell thickness comes from is added calcium. All layer feed have near identical amount of 3%. Other factors like forage come into play and if birds new to laying. Pullets first eggs are very common to be rubber and it's not due to lack of calcium usually. It due to the fact that they've an assembly line of operations to form an egg. Each section develops at different rate. You'll get all sorts of odd eggs in first few weeks from pullets coming into lay. Odd shapes, wrinkled huge calcium deposits in spots, no shell at all and the list goes on. I'd sooner think her system is still working out the kinks and developing than think it's a calcium deficiency. Give it more time, if your on 4th week and she's still not getting it right and other girls are having same problem with first eggs then get some oyster shell. I don't suggest you run out and get it now as with layer feed you should not need it. That's the beauty of that feed type. I liked it when I only had layers. With a mixed flock I use a normal feed and supplement oyster shell to layers by tossing a handful on ground now and then.

I just started feeding the new purina oyster strong a few days ago, it has added vitamin and oyster shells in the feed....so far so good! Just throwing it out there

Thanks everyone. The oyster shell seemed to do the trick. I also had another layer give her first egg today and it had a hard shell. Yay!!

Now the only one I'm waiting for is my Black Star..... Ironic... I thought she'd lay first.

newchikngal said:

Currently I'm feeding my chickens Nutrena Natures Own Layer Crumbles. After doing some research online I've seen some people complain about thin egg shells. I have one girl that is laying out of my 3. She's only laid 2 eggs but they were both rubber eggs.

Out of curiosity, are all layer feeds the same or do you find there is a difference in the quality, production and egg shell with different feeds. I'm eliminating table scraps until the shell issue is fixed. Thinking maybe they aren't getting enough calcium. I did just put out oyster shell for them as well.

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Not all layer feeds are created equal. Purina Layena now with Oyster Strong System comes with oyster shell to provide the calcium your hens need for strong egg shells.
Visit our website for more information: http://www.purinamills.com/backyard-poultry/products/organic-layer-pellets-or-crumbles/