Can someone confirm this is normal?

[RoyalChick]

The eggs don't have shells when they come out. The shells harden as the chicken sits on them. First eggs are sometimes odd.

No. This is not correct.
The first eggs are sometimes odd is definitely true.
But not the bit about the shells hardening when the chicken sits on them.

 

[z3lda3]

The eggs don't have shells when they come out. The shells harden as the chicken sits on them. First eggs are sometimes odd.

Huh? I’m not sure about that. I’ve literally seen my chicken lay an egg, it was definitely in a shell.

 

[z3lda3]

No. This is not correct.
The first eggs are sometimes odd is definitely true.
But not the bit about the shells hardening when the chicken sits on them.

Aww @RoyalChick i thought my chickens were just really special! You party pooper!

 

[Debbie292d]

The eggs don't have shells when they come out. The shells harden as the chicken sits on them. First eggs are sometimes odd.

What kind of eggs do you have there that do this as that's not how a hen does it. They form the egg inside of them, shell and all. Since yours don't, I'd try giving them some oyster shell and see if that helps. Otherwise, there might be something more seriously wrong with your hens.

 

[z3lda3]

What kind of eggs do you have there that do this as that's not how a hen does it. They form the egg inside of them, shell and all. Since yours don't, I'd try giving them some oyster shell and see if that helps. Otherwise, there might be something more seriously wrong with your hens.

I’ve also heard egg shells are good for calcium. My chickens love egg mixed with shell. Agreed hens should be laying shelled eggs. Although I bet laying a shelless eggs would be easier/less painful. Not that I know it’s painful but I imagine it can be..

 

[NatJ]

I’ve also heard egg shells are good for calcium. My chickens love egg mixed with shell.

Yes, egg shells can also be a good source of calcium. A dish of eggshell should work about the same as a dish of oyster shell. The only problem is that you need a source of eggshells, because hens need more calcium than what they can get just from the shells of their own eggs. If you have to buy something, it's usually easier and cheaper to buy oyster shell than to buy eggshell, which is why oyster shell is more common.

The eggs don't have shells when they come out. The shells harden as the chicken sits on them.

Not correct.

I have watched hens lay eggs: a normal egg has a hard shell when it comes out, even if I pick it up immediately so the hen can never sit on it.

An egg that is laid with a soft shell or just a membrane will never develop a hard shell, no matter what happens after it is laid.

 

[z3lda3]

Yes, egg shells can also be a good source of calcium. A dish of eggshell should work about the same as a dish of oyster shell. The only problem is that you need a source of eggshells, because hens need more calcium than what they can get just from the shells of their own eggs. If you have to buy something, it's usually easier and cheaper to buy oyster shell than to buy eggshell, which is why oyster shell is more common.


Not correct.

I have watched hens lay eggs: a normal egg has a hard shell when it comes out, even if I pick it up immediately so the hen can never sit on it.

An egg that is laid with a soft shell or just a membrane will never develop a hard shell, no matter what happens after it is laid.

Yes, egg shells can also be a good source of calcium. A dish of eggshell should work about the same as a dish of oyster shell. The only problem is that you need a source of eggshells, because hens need more calcium than what they can get just from the shells of their own eggs. If you have to buy something, it's usually easier and cheaper to buy oyster shell than to buy eggshell, which is why oyster shell is more common.


Not correct.

I have watched hens lay eggs: a normal egg has a hard shell when it comes out, even if I pick it up immediately so the hen can never sit on it.

An egg that is laid with a soft shell or just a membrane will never develop a hard shell, no matter what happens after it is laid.

Ohhh good point about the egg shell thing. It has to come from another source or it’s just depletion. I used to buy my fresh eggs from a neighbor but since my girls have been laying I don’t need to. Buuut her chickens lay green eggs, (no clue what breed) my son swears the green ones taste better (he’s 7). I thought it was..well stupid to keep buying fresh eggs, but now I have a legitimate reason to.

 

[Almosta Farm]

The eggs don't have shells when they come out. The shells harden as the chicken sits on them. First eggs are sometimes odd.

HUH??? Who told you that? Please don't listen to them anymore ...

 

[Tcline4]

Hi, I’ve got 4 RSLs about 20 weeks ish. Two have been laying consistently for 2-3 weeks. My third was walking up the coop steps, and laid (her first egg)a shelless egg. It happened so fast and I was straightening up and not paying close attention to her. She cackled and I looked and there was a splattered egg. No shell to be seen anywhere. I’ve been reading around and read it shelless eggs can happen to first layers. How do I know the didn’t crack inside of her? What should I do? I don’t know if it matters but they’re all eating layer feed and oyster shells. And every few days eggs with the shell.

I've had shell-less eggs and broken eggs. I'm looking in the hutches and hen house several times a day. Remove those eggs ASAP. You don't want the girls to think they should eat them raw. I have 18 chickens. I did have one girl's egg break while in the middle of laying it. I gently pulled it out and it seemed like I got it all. You need to first look for a dirty butt. I take a large bucket with warm water and give the dirty butt girl a spa treatment with a soak. Gently rub the area to clean her up.
Recently I observed another hen just sitting. Not hardly walking around. I have a dog kennel i put in my laundry room with food and water. The 1st day I gave her an epsom salt bath in the deep sink in warm water 2x. She was in heaven and just floated for 10 min.
Then I realized I needed to take her food away at night to make sure her crop wasn't clogged. It was almost flat in the morning but I did the 2 epsom salt baths that day.
I would use a blow dryer on low to dry her off. She didn't mind it at all! She's back to normal! Cori

 

[wrathsfarm]

. Buuut her chickens lay green eggs, (no clue what breed) my son swears the green ones taste better (he’s 7).

Easter Eggers and their variations for one lay green.

And your son hasn't had Marans eggs yet, they are the best tasting.


Don't believe me?... just ask Julia Childs or even better James Bond.