I have tried to read everything i could here, on soft shelled eggs and egg eaters. I dont know if its unique that my hen lays a hard egg with a soft band around it, but shes pretty consistent.
A friend gave me 3 white hens that were are about 4 years old. I have had them about a year, they layed eggs all winter long here in the northeast. I started to notice broken and partial eggs in the box and found that one ate her own eggs. I have been very lucky that the others havent followed suit, i am quick to get out there now.
They are fed regular layer pellets, the occasional grape, corn cobs or broccoli, have oyster shells free choice, healthy and happy. With all the great advice here, i started to supplement (only) her with calcium. Its been a week and i dont see much change...although i do see more random soft shelled or yolk in their poop trays.
I guess i wonder if one week of calcium is enough to tell if shes just got a calcium problem or shes unable to lay hard eggs. Im getting down to the wire about seeing this to an end because i fear the others starting to eat eggs and i havesix 4 week old chicks to integrate soon. Any thoughts are welcome, but i wouldnt feel right about giving her away knowing shes eating the eggs, and dont feel capable to dispatch her. Thanks
A friend gave me 3 white hens that were are about 4 years old. I have had them about a year, they layed eggs all winter long here in the northeast. I started to notice broken and partial eggs in the box and found that one ate her own eggs. I have been very lucky that the others havent followed suit, i am quick to get out there now.
They are fed regular layer pellets, the occasional grape, corn cobs or broccoli, have oyster shells free choice, healthy and happy. With all the great advice here, i started to supplement (only) her with calcium. Its been a week and i dont see much change...although i do see more random soft shelled or yolk in their poop trays.
I guess i wonder if one week of calcium is enough to tell if shes just got a calcium problem or shes unable to lay hard eggs. Im getting down to the wire about seeing this to an end because i fear the others starting to eat eggs and i havesix 4 week old chicks to integrate soon. Any thoughts are welcome, but i wouldnt feel right about giving her away knowing shes eating the eggs, and dont feel capable to dispatch her. Thanks