Here’s Why Some Eggshells Are Thinner Than Others

Have you ever noticed that some of the eggs your hens hatch have thick, strong shells, while others have thin, weaker shells? If so, you’re not alone. This is a common plight for backyard chicken owners. Understanding why some eggshells are thinner than others, then, can help you figure out what you should do next.

Here are some of the reasons:

Age

When hens age, their eggs grow larger, but the calcium used to produce those eggs remains the same. The less calcium there is, the thinner and weaker the shells become. This will likely be an issue with most of the hens in your flock as they start to age.

On the flip side of that, young hens who have just begun to lay eggs can also produce thin eggs. This is because they may not have switched to a layer diet yet and could be suffering from calcium deficiency (see below).

Calcium Deficiency

As we said, the more calcium there is, the thicker and stronger the eggshells become. If your hens are not getting enough calcium, then the eggs will be thin and weak. This is why many layer diets incorporate lots of calcium.

High Temperatures

This is mostly a problem in the summer months, but high temperatures are a form of stress for your chickens. The more stressed your chickens are, the lesser quality their eggshells.

For more tips on how to care for your chickens and their eggs, read through our blog or contact Chickens for Backyards today.