Egg without a shell, WOW, what's the deal?

[headred]

Today was a funny day for eggs. I live in eastern Kansas, so we've had about 2 or 3 inches of rain in the last day, storms, etc. The ducks have been thrilled with all the water and I think two of my girls layed eggs for the first time. These are the four I got today.....

I first got this really tiny one, about 1 inch in diameter, so I'm guessing that might be the first one from one of my 5 month old khakis. But look closely at the one I have in my hand......

NO SHELL!! Does anyone know how this happens? I have had thin shells before but never a NO shell. Crazy weird!!

 

[Emzyyy]

Have they been getting enough calcium?

 

[headred]

That's what I was thinking. I'm going out for oyster shells today!!

 

[fhdogs]

When my red sex link started laying, 3 of her first 5 attempts at laying were soft. She had oyster shell for about two weeks before she started. Now all is better she's laying almost every day without and defects.

(Duh this was ducks. Mine haven't stated laying yet, but I'd assume first eggs may have similar isssues between ducks and chicks.)

 

[FenDruadin]

I wouldn't worry about it. When my duck hens first started laying, they did some FUNKY stuff. I had one that was tiny (like your little one, but a little smaller) and perfectly round--it turned out to contain only a yolk, no white. I had one without a shell, only a membrane (like yours). And I had a couple double-yolkers, plus plenty in funky shapes of various sorts. They were also strange colors.

It evens out. They get better at it, and their reproductive organs get better too. If they are free-ranging and also eating a layer pellet, you probably don't have anything to worry about. Sure, offer them oyster shells. Mine don't eat noticeable quantities of it--mostly they spill it and make a mess, and I go out and buy more even though I'm 98% sure they don't actually eat it.

But yours look about right for early eggs.

 

[headred]

Quote:
Thanks! I am thinking it must just be early eggs since my older khakis lay perfect eggs every day. I keep a pretty good compost pile going for them where they get their "used" egg shells back (strange, isn't it!!). I haven't ever added the oyster shell to their regular feed, but may try one bag of it to see if I notice any difference. Thanks for all your comments.

Mostly I thought it was just fun to get the inside only of an egg! I was thinking what a great "show and tell" that would be for a grade school kid. Too bad I'm not in that place anymore! NOT!