first egg for us this morning but....

[yolk-a-motive]

It was broken open, under the perch, the yolk looked OK, however the white/ clear part of the egg was thicker like mucus and the shell was thin and soft. We just got them yesterday and we are totally new to chickens. We were told they had just started laying not too long ago. Is this normal egg properties for young hen or is she lacking something that's making her shell so soft and thin?

 

[kschnetz]

Two things to try first! It sounds like this is a classic Calcium deficiency in the hen's diet. Make sure you are feeding her a layer crumble or pellet, as this contains the required nutrients to produce good eggs. Finally, offer her either CRUSHED egg shells (giving them un-crushed shells could cause them to start eating their own eggs before you collect them!) OR crushed oyster shells. These will give additional calcium and help with healthy egg production =)

The white should look that way, no problems there!

 

[Happy Chooks]

The white is thicker, that's part of a fresh egg. On the soft shell, nothing to be worried about. You get all sorts of strange eggs when they start laying. It's all part of their bodies adjusting to laying. Just make sure you have oyster shell available - they will take it when they need it.