14.5 week pullet just laid first soft shelled egg

[Dynamissa]

I got all of my birds as 1-2 day olds… she’s supposed to be an EE but looks straight up like a brown leghorn I think?

I thought she was a rooster because she was incredibly developed at 12 weeks … (big ass wattle and comb) but she squatted for me yesterday and there was an egg this morning, small round and soft/thin shelled.

Is she more prone to reproductive hazards because of this?

Should I give oyster shells even though her flock mates aren’t laying?

 

[nuthatched]

The first eggs are often wonky. Oyster shells are a good idea.

 

[Dynamissa]

Even if her sisters aren’t laying yet? They’re all 14.5 weeks.

 

[BDutch]

I had young hens that layed soft shell eggs in their first week too. And fairy (super-small) eggs as well.
Nothing to worry about.

You can put a bowl with oyster shell/stomach grit aside from the feed. The pullets/hens will eat what they need. Good calcium source are egg shells, layer pellets or layer crumble too.

If you only have 14,5 week pullets I would start mixing layer into the chick feed. A good way to finish the chick feed.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

I got all of my birds as 1-2 day olds… she’s supposed to be an EE but looks straight up like a brown leghorn I think?

I thought she was a rooster because she was incredibly developed at 12 weeks … (big ass wattle and comb) but she squatted for me yesterday and there was an egg this morning, small round and soft/thin shelled.

Is she more prone to reproductive hazards because of this?

Should I give oyster shells even though her flock mates aren’t laying?

She’s pretty. My first eggs were wonky too. Offer oyster shell, they’ll only eat it when needed so it’s ok if the others aren’t laying. Use a separate dish.

 

[Dynamissa]

Of course this would happen the day I go away for Vacation.

Thank you!

 

[Dynamissa]

Also should I be concerned if she doesn’t lay again? Or is that normal since she’s only 14.5 weeks?

Obviously worried about stuff like eggbinding or yolk peritonitis because of the soft shelled eggs

 

[BDutch]

Also should I be concerned if she doesn’t lay again? Or is that normal since she’s only 14.5 weeks?

Obviously worried about stuff like eggbinding or yolk peritonitis because of the soft shelled eggs

As long as the membrane is very tough /elastic the risk is very low. Never heard pullets get into trouble from peritonitis caused by soft shells.

I had several pullets that laid one or two soft shells before they laid nice eggs with a good shell. Only lost one older hen with peritonitis, she laid many soft shell eggs before it went wrong. I didn’t know at that time that giving my bantam 1/4 human Calcium tablets a day, for 2 weeks, might have saved her.

 

[Dynamissa]

Just an update, she laid another today - hard shelled! what color would you say this is? I haven’t seen it in person yet haha my mother has been taking care of my birds while we’ve been gone.

 

[Mrs. K]

Really don't worry over nothing you can't really do anything about. Do put the oyster shell down. It will last forever, and then be gone. It will seem like no one is touching it. Just provide it, and don't worry about it.

As for the egg binding and other egg laying problems, there really is nothing you can do about that. I have never had one, and I have had soft shell eggs, regular eggs and strange eggs. I have kept chickens for decades.

And if you do get a chicken with those problems, well then worry then. But a brand new poult, laying eggs is not going to have those issues.

Mrs K