Got Thin eggs and fat hens

[LyndallA]

Hi ya’ll,
I’m a newbie chicken owner. Got five hens who were given to me to see if I could rehab them from poor nutrition and neglect. I’ve done pretty well , they’ve all molted regrowing much healthier feathers and colorful combs and thick thighs . BUT somebody (ies) has been laying thin-shelled eggs and then breaking them as they sit on them. Not sure which one (am going to start paying attention to who is on the nest throughout the day.
I’m guessing they need more calcium, but am feeding them crushed egg shells and oyster shells and probiotics, scratch and seeds and worms, and plenty of protein and garden greens….what more can I do?
I’m not very good at giving them anyhring that involves hand-feeding them (giving a pill). They don’t like to be held.

 

[ChicNmom]

Sometimes a hen just needs more or won't eat enough of the oyster/egg shell you put out.

If they will eat oatmeal or scrambled egg you can add calcium powder to that.

Calcium citrate with vitamin d is the most easily absorbed for them.

If you can figure out which bird then you can try to feed it to her directly. If everyone get a little extra for a short while it should be OK.

If they have too much extra you might see some bumpy egg shells from the extra calcium.

 

[nuthatched]

Feeding them crushed egg shells and oyster shells and probiotics, scratch and seeds and worms, and plenty of protein and garden greens….

Cut out the probiotics, scratch, seeds, worms and greens.
Switch to a high protein layer.

 

[LyndallA]

What brand do you recommend?

 

[FrostRanger]

Nutrena has a 21% protein layer feed. Chewy has it if you can't find it locally but anything with around 20% protein will work

 

[LyndallA]

Thank you!