Black Copper Maran laying eggs with soft spots in shell

[rnrross]

Hello Everyone! I have never posted to this site but enjoy all the wonderful information here. I am fairly new to the world of chickens - so I am wondering if anyone has some input or info on why my Copper Maran (1 year and 2 months old) is laying every third or forth egg as pictured above. The shell is good and sturdy except for an occasional soft spot, and the membrane is still intact. We still eat the eggs no problem - but I am wondering if she needs something else in her diet. I have 7 other girls - all different breeds including a mixed Maran breed - and none of them have exhibited this type of egg shell. Thank you all for any help you can provide, Rae

 

[krista74]

Hmmmm.....I've never seen that before myself.

All I can suggest is that you make sure you feed a good quality layer's pellet and additional oyster shell and grit on the side.

The hole on the right of that egg kind of looks like she has pecked through the shell though - is there any chance she could be pecking at the calcium deposits on the egg shell?

I'll be interested to hear what others have to say about this one. Sorry I can't be more help, but I wish you all the best.

- Krista

 

[rnrross]

Thank you so much for your response Krista!

I too thought at first it was a case of pecking but with the membrane still intact I ruled that out. The small hole is also very crumbly almost as if the rest of the shell did not come together properly.

Her diet does seem well balanced, proper protein, calcium (oyster shell), and they get enough grit . . . so I too will see what other's have to say.

Thank you again,
Rae

 

[aart]

Huh...never seen this either.

Is the shell is thinner and crumbly where the holes are?
How long has she been laying?

A peck could go thru the shell but not penetrate the membrane.
Maybe a shell gland malfunction?

What and how exactly are you feeding?

 

[krista74]

Yeah, I tend to agree with you @aart.

A peck could go thru the shell but not penetrate the membrane.
Maybe a shell gland malfunction?

I have had a girl who used to lay eggs with shells that were just strong enough to hold the egg together, but not soft and rubbery. If you picked up the egg it would keep it's shape, but if you rubbed your thumb across it you would see the shell crumble underneath it. Anyway, THAT girl used to like to peck a little hole into each of those eggs - probably because (as with @mrross's egg) there was an easy access point. She never actually pecked into the membrane either, and we were still able to eat the eggs - although I was always careful to use them first.

I do wonder if this is some sort of shell gland issue. I doubt it is a lack of calcium, as the rest of the shell looks fine. Has this been happening for very long I wonder, or is it a 'new thing' she is doing? If it's only new it may just be a glitch in the system that could pass of it's own accord.

If it's been something that's been going on for a while, you could try a vitamin supplement with her, and also add some extra calcium to her diet (you can buy liquid and powdered calcium suitable for poultry that gets added to their feed) just to make sure she has adequate quantities of everything she needs.

I don't normally recommend extra calcium when hens are already on layers feed, but that being said....I did once have a girl who (like the rest of the flock) was on layer's pellets and she consistently laid soft shelled eggs for a couple of months. Three weeks on a calcium supplement and she was as good as gold. I guess some birds just need that extra support.

Good luck!

- Krista

 

[pstroud]

I have a 9 month old copper Maran who has been laying thin-shelled and off color eggs every few days. Other hens of different breeds are laying fine. I have calcium out, laying pellets and dried grubs a few times a day. Do you add the liquid calcium to their water?