chalky egg shell?

[Melky]

Yes, They seem to prefer them on the floor as that's the only ones they will use. I flip the tote upside down and fill it with clean bedding so they can make their hollowed out area. There's a opening cut in the side of the tote and they can climb in and out that way. Out of both flocks, this is the preferred style box, for no reason I can put my finger on, it's just the one they will use consistently.

If they like it just stick with it.

 

[proudmommie31]

Some birds lay eggs that are shiny, some birds lay eggs that are matte.
Not necessarily about feed or disease or stress or delayed laying...it's just how they do.
As long as the shell is hard, do not worry about the surface finish.

Putting a fake egg in each nest will help 'spread the love'.

Keep in mind the new nests might throw them for a loop, give them time to get used to the 'new thing'(chickens hate change)...and new layers can take up to a month or so to get things smoothed out.

Oh good, so maybe it's just normal then? I have one today that is that matte finish again, nice strong shell, but even after I clean them they dry to a matte finish again. I usually don't have to clean them and just put them in the fridge but this one had a smudge on it.

 

[aart]

Oh good, so maybe it's just normal then?

Yep...have had several matte layers.

 

[Bonniebooboo]

I have only had one chalky/matte layer. An EE. she laid off white matte her whole life. good shells and large eggs. 4-5 eggs a week and you always knew her egg from the others. she finally slowed down to 3 eggs a week at 5yrs old and finally stopped at 5 1/2 yrs old. Good little hen.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

While hens will lay an occasional soft-shelled egg, any hen that regularly lays soft-shelled eggs is suffering from the aftereffects of several different serious poultry diseases. These diseases settle or fall on a hens' reproductive organs much like the mumps settle on some little boys' reproductive organs.

 

[proudmommie31]

While hens will lay an occasional soft-shelled egg, any hen that regularly lays soft-shelled eggs is suffering from the aftereffects of several different serious poultry diseases. These diseases settle or fall on a hens' reproductive organs much like the mumps settle on some little boys' reproductive organs.

No soft shell eggs here. Actually super rock hard. I just have one that lays a matte finish instead of shiny.

 

[proudmommie31]

Success!!! All four same style tote nest boxes had eggs or a chicken this am and no eggs on the floor