question for chicken people

[locolobo]

I've had chickens for a long time so I thought I was well versed on everything chickens. But... My hens are old, 5-6 years old and probably getting close to being too old to lay good eggs. But I have never seen this. The shells are soft, almost can't pick 'em up without crushing them. One hen I'm thinking is worse than the rest. I've even seen a few over the past few months where there didn't seem to be any shell, only the white/yolk in the membrane.They have free choice on the oyster shell and I have to fill the feeder up on occasion so they are using it. It's just that I've never experienced this weak shell stuff before. They "free range" in a fenced one acre "pasture" and have free choice on layer pellet along with the oyster shell. Any thoughts from the Green screen? Are they done?
PS, I've got more chicks coming up but they're still young and will be a few months before they start laying.

[Walker]

Probably too old to lay good eggs. Pretty sure there is a calcium supplement for your water you could try

[Oleman]

Old is your answer.

[Quackerbox]

Old is your answer.

Concur. We had a hen start that last year. She died not long after

[Sasqy]

Or, they’re not getting enough shell.
We feed every eggshell they lay, back to them in their feed.
As to not deplete their calcium. Egg breaks inside, dead chicken.

[M16]

Time to make chicken soup

[locolobo]

Thanks! Got new ones comin along. Just gonna be a few months

[friscopaint]

I keep oyster shell out all the time for them, calcium makes shells harder. We order new chicks every year and have about 50 hens and keeps up with attrition

[Bigunn63]

You cab buy crushed oyster shells to mix in with their feed it will harden the shells.