Eggs with no shells (new layers)

[kambrydlynn]

How long does it take a newly laying hen to regulate her egg laying? I have 7 hens that have been laying for about 5-6 weeks now. I keep finding eggs with no shell in the run and coop. They are not all from the same chicken. They can have a perfect shell/egg the day before and then no shell the next. I’m wondering if I need to be doing anything different. This is my first flock so I’m still learning. They had access to crushed oyster shell previously but none of them ever seemed to eat it. I then changed to drying out their shells and crushing them for their calcium source. They seem to like that much better. They are on an organic layer feed as well. Do I just need to give it more time? They also have access to direct sunlight and shade through the day. I suppose I should also mention that I live in west Texas and it is anywhere from 90-100 degrees here on any given day right now. Two of my girls have also been laying lots of double yolk/larged shell eggs. I’m not sure if that has anything to do with what’s going on.

I’ve also included a picture of some of the beautiful work they’ve been doing. Thank you!

 

[Rooski456]

I was literally getting on here to post about this same question with my new layers! Glad to know I’m not alone lol

 

[CabritaChicks]

Beautiful eggs!
Your question: How long does it take? quick/instantly in my experience. What brand feed are you feeding?
I have been looking at organic feeds I find issues with some of the supplementation (or lack ther-of). Im not saying organic is not better or worse- limitation for a 'organic' label make solid nutrition more difficult.

I just did a phosphorus/calcium ratio article you may find interesting:
Phosphorus, forgotten nutrient in shell development.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Oh my. If multiple chickens are laying like this, there's definitely a systemic problem. This is not normal, especially after 5-6 weeks.

What specific feed are you using? Do you give treats? What types and how often?

In the short term, I would try to get them interested in the oyster shell. Some brands are just too large, but you can find flaked oyster shell on Amazon, as well as this new product called LitChicks that we're trying. The pieces are smaller and a unique shape. That might get your girls more interested.

 

[kambrydlynn]

Beautiful eggs!
Your question: How long does it take? quick/instantly in my experience. What brand feed are you feeding? I have been looking at organic feeds I find issues with some of the supplementation (or lack ther-of). Im not saying organic is not better or worse- limitation for a 'organic' label make solid nutrition more difficult.

I just did a phosphorus/calcium ratio article you may find interesting:
Phosphorus, forgotten nutrient in shell development.

I’ve attached pictures of what I’m using. I should say that they do go back to laying strong eggs. It’s also been anywhere from 90-100 degrees here in Texas. Would that be a factor?

 

[kambrydlynn]

Oh my. If multiple chickens are laying like this, there's definitely a systemic problem. This is not normal, especially after 5-6 weeks.

What specific feed are you using? Do you give treats? What types and how often?

In the short term, I would try to get them interested in the oyster shell. Some brands are just too large, but you can find flaked oyster shell on Amazon, as well as this new product called LitChicks that we're trying. The pieces are smaller and a unique shape. That might get your girls more interested.

Well the confusing part is that they will lay an egg like this and then lay a perfect egg the next. I will attach pictures of the feed. They do get treats. I give them treats at the end of the day to get them back into the run. They get black soldier fly larvae and usually something like plain yogurt, left over veggies or a small amount of fruit my toddler didn’t eat. Sometimes they get watermelon or cucumber in the afternoon on really hot days. I should also mention that I live in west Texas and it is about 90-100 degrees here recently. Do you feel like oyster shell is any better then the egg shells? I also attached a picture of those.

 

[theoldchick]

Young pullets can lay soft eggs as the shell gland sort things out. If you are supplementing the diet with oyster shells and the usual supplements they should start laying normal eggs within a month. However, there are other things to consider other than diet. Extreme heat can cause soft or no shells as can stress. Another thing to consider is bacterial or viral infections that infect the reproductive parts.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I should also mention that I live in west Texas and it is about 90-100 degrees here recently. Do you feel like oyster shell is any better then the egg shells?

Good catch with the weather. Mine eat MUCH less when it's this hot. If they're not eating, they're not getting enough nutrients and calcium. You can try making some cold mash for them. Take a bit of their feed and add a small amount of cold water. Just enough to get the pellets puffed up and moist, but without making it soupy. That will get mine eating in the heat of the day, plus get some extra water in them.

Oyster shell is absolutely more potent than egg shells. I'd pick some up ASAP and try to get them interested in it.

 

[kambrydlynn]

Young pullets can lay soft eggs as the shell gland sort things out. If you are supplementing the diet with oyster shells and the usual supplements they should start laying normal eggs within a month. However, there are other things to consider other than diet. Extreme heat can cause soft or no shells as can stress. Another thing to consider is bacterial or viral infections that infect the reproductive parts.

It has been between 90-100 degrees here since they started laying. Is that hot enough to stress them? The flock all seem to be perfectly healthy.

 

[kambrydlynn]

Good catch with the weather. Mine eat MUCH less when it's this hot. If they're not eating, they're not getting enough nutrients and calcium. You can try making some cold mash for them. Take a bit of their feed and add a small amount of cold water. Just enough to get the pellets puffed up and moist, but without making it soupy. That will get mine eating in the heat of the day, plus get some extra water in them.

Oyster shell is absolutely more potent than egg shells. I'd pick some up ASAP and try to get them interested in it.

I’ll see if I can find smaller oyster shell. I will give them the cold mash and see if that helps. Thank you!