Why are my eggs so hard to crack?

[horsewishr]

My eggs are very difficult to crack. They "smash," rather than cracking clean open. I don't think it's the shells. I think it's a membrane thing. What's up with that??????? Can anything be done to change it?

 

[chickengirlnm]

the eggs I have been getting from my buff rock are hard to crack also - they will crack like normal but the shell seems to be very thick, I always thought it was because my hens eat so good that they lay nice thick shelled eggs - but of course I could be wrong, hope someone has the answaer for you.

Julie

 

[Cuban Longtails]

You could feed them more protien and less calcium, I hadn't yet started feeding my chickens layer pellets and the shells of their eggs were easier to crack.

Personally I like the hard shells, you could drop them by accident and not make a big ole mess.

Not sure about the membrane thing, someone else might have a better idea.

 

[WindyOaksYokes]

LOL... I am glad I am not the only one out there with the hard shelled situation!!! Most of my eggs do have hard shells, I do have some that are not so hard but not as many. I too chalked it up to my girls are eating well. LOL

 

[Wynette]

My girls lay eggs with really hard shells, too. Family members that I've given eggs to noticed it as well. Mine are still pullets, so I figured that might be part of the reason? I don't feed extra calcium - just free-choice commercial feed, grass...and lots of goodies.

 

[chickengirlnm]

glad i am not the only one who thought it was good food LOL

 

[Buff Hooligans]

I noticed that the inner white lining of the shell was pretty apparent and strong. I really had to tear it to crack the egg fully open.

 

[horsewishr]

Quote:
That's what I'm talking about. Exactly. It's not the shell, but the membrane. I was wondering if it's possible that it will change as my hens age??? Maybe they're just laying really strong, young eggs now???

 

[cheapcheap_jeepjeep]

I have the same issue with my pullets eggs, but my hens eggs are not as hard. I just thought it was is is so young.

 

[3peeps]

I've had eggs like that from my friend...they were stronger when they were younger.

But the SILKIE eggs...man...they are like little fortresses. That small size and oval shape makes them a miracle of physics and a huge mess once you finally get in.