The feed store in Abilene has a sign about oyster shells that finally made it click for me
Stopped at a feed store in Abilene last weekend while visiting my sister and they had a handwritten sign behind the counter that said soft shells mean you wait too long to refill the oyster shell dish. I always figured my hens were just getting older since they are 3 years old now. Clerk there told me she sees it every spring and most folks blame the bird instead of the calcium. Bought a $9 bag on the spot and two weeks later the shells are hard again. Anyone else notice their girls slow down on shells as the weather warms up?
Soft shells mean you wait too long" is the simplest fix I've ever heard for something I've been overthinking for years. Three bucks of oyster shell beats blaming the poor hens.