First 3 eggs...all soft...all broken

[eggsontoast]

Two of my three pullets have started to lay. Both have only laid soft shelled eggs so far...two or three each. All but one have been broken in the coop or nesting box. At first, i thought that they were broken because they were so delicate. This morning however, the "egg" I found was destroyed. I dont know if the contents were eaten...i can't really tell. Obviously, i dont want my chickens to get in the habit of eating their eggs. I'm giving them oyster shell and layer feed to strengthen their shells. How long does it take to "work"? Should i do anything in the meantime?

 

[schellie69]

Hens will peck at the eggs to check that they wont break-so that they are not a danger to the rest of the clutch if an egg breaks yes they will eat it. I have found some soft shell eggs left alone and some only after I notice they are eating them. Since they just started to lay it will take their system a while to get it figured out. I would just wait and watch they should be laying strong eggs here soon.

 

[ChickenGirl3]

If you feed them laying feed their shell will get stronger in 2-3 days, If you chicken is eating the egg you have to put some egg yokes and egg whites in a easter egg to stop it early. Collect real eggs continuously.

 

[eggsontoast]

I'm confused as to why i would put real egg into a plastic egg shell and give it to the chickens. Isnt that just rewarding their behavior? Wouldn't that teach them them there is something yummy inside their eggs?

 

[ChickenGirl3]

If they cant crack the egg than.... they just give up and stop.

 

[cabot]

when mine started laying last fall, several had soft shelled broken eggs but within 2 weeks, all was fine ! They just need time to sort out the assembly line... I didn't have to supplement their pelleted feed at all.