I don't use oyster shells at all. If you are using a complete 16+ layer ration it has more than the required calcium in it. Usually you get a hen that lays thin shelled eggs because they have a mineral deficiency--Boron and Magnesium. These minerals unlock many of the other nutrients so the body can use other minerals properly. These two minerals main impact is to direct the body to use calcium properly. Many people have this very same problem-bone spurs-calcium deposits inside joints and the muscles usually due to deficiency in the above two minerals. Here is a bit of information about boron: "The Poultry Institute observed that adding boron to mixed feed grains for chickens improves bone development and calcium metabolism. It also found that boron addition changed the bone development, blood and stress parameters and that cholesterol levels of chickens are lowered thanks to boron. The cholesterol lowering capability of boron is now being studied for application in humans." http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=151242 Here is a bit about magnesium Deficiency: "Calcification of Soft Tissue Including Heart Valve" http://www.ctds.info/5_13_magnesium.html Science is beginning to unlock the long debated issues of the importance of vitamins/minerals in all life forms and the lack of many of these in the foods we all consume-even the people who eat only organic suffer from many deficiencies. If these building blocks (minerals) are not in the soil it can not be in the food grown in it (just that simple). Back to the thin shelled layer-if you're providing all that is required for proper egg production and she doesn't comply maybe soup is the proper place for her-sometime there are genetically related problems that can and do block the body from properly using calcium and you may never be able to get her to lay good strong shelled eggs.

I don't get the little box at the end, where one posts a follow-up. omg- I've been silenced! Probably hopefully it is a temporary glitch. Of course if everyone is in the same situation, then you won't be able to reply. maybe someone could write me off-list.

Just a question before you reset... Prompted by this thread: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/comphelp/msg1217510723913.html Did you happen to do the "image block" mentioned by Zep516 in this post? If so, you'll have to undo that because the new "Preview" button used for replying is no longer an "HTML button", but an image. So if you're blocking images from "graphics.gardenweb.com", you won't see the new yellow/gold "Preview" button. If that doesn't apply to you, the reset function is found under "Help>Troubleshooting Infomation". Edit: This reply is kinda obsolete now because the "Preview" button is no longer an image, but an actual HTML button once again. :) This post was edited by chuggerguy on Mon, Mar 24, 14 at 10:46

I feel the same way as Barnmom and others. If I'm ignored after going to some effort (not for simple posts, just ones where I've clearly offered a thought out opinion or gone to some trouble with research or a recipe), I stop posting on that member's threads. I also try to read all opinions before offering mine. I don't want to repeat something someone else said and not acknowledge that they said it first. It's a small thing that others may not think about, but I find that kind of consideration important. AM