first egg problem

[eggsandhens]

hey guys I have to make this short bc I’m really busy with dance (getting ready for nutcracker, etc) but I was wondering if anybody else has had this problem with their eggs/first eggs? These two are the first and third eggs I’ve gotten, the second one had no problem (so I ate it). Anyways, I thought it was because my chick scratches out the bedding and then lays the egg (I know this because the two eggs had no bedding around them) so it cracked, however, I also thought it was a peck hole? Not sure so I hope someone can help me with this problem

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

What are you feeding her? Is she getting oyster shell for extra calcium?

 

[eggsandhens]

I’m feeding her transition feed, no extra stuff except for veggie scraps

 

[GC-Raptor]

I thought it was because my chick scratches out the bedding and then lays the egg (I know this because the two eggs had no bedding around them) so it cracked, however, I also thought it was a peck hole? Not sure

Yep, lack of bedding.
Chicken stands up as egg comes out. Egg lands on end.
A 4 inch lip on nests will help keep bedding in.

If that doesn't work, try straw, a nest pad or a folded feed bag.
Also offer Oyster Shells separately.

GC

 

[eggsandhens]

Got it @GC-Raptor thanks. I asked my friends who own chickens and they said a four inch lip was needed also. Thanks for your advice!

 

[GC-Raptor]

Thanks for your advice!

Welcome. GC

 

[aart]

Agrees lack of bedding could be part of the problem.
But I also see that one egg has other cracks.

I’m feeding her transition feed, no extra stuff except for veggie scraps

What exactly is this, protein and calcium percentages?
How many veggie scraps?

 

[eggsandhens]

Agrees lack of bedding could be part of the problem.
But I also see that one egg has other cracks.

What exactly is this, protein and calcium percentages?
How many veggie scraps?

I’m not exactly sure what the calcium percentage is and the specifics because I get bags of it from my (successful) chicken keeping friend, and it’s always worked for him even when he raises all the breeds I have. Veggie scraps are daily, and it’s about 5 tomatoes worth (it’s not always tomatoes, but that’s just for size reference) so each chicken gets about 1/3-1/2 of a tomato (or something else

 

[eggsandhens]

Oh, and you are only allowed to buy the feed in bulk, if that helps.

 

[NatJ]

I’m not exactly sure what the calcium percentage is and the specifics because I get bags of it from my (successful) chicken keeping friend, and it’s always worked for him even when he raises all the breeds I have.

You could ask him if he can give you a copy of the label, or direct you to the manufacturer's website, or something like that.

You could put out a dish of oyster shell so the chickens can help themselves if they need calcium, make sure there's good bedding in the nestboxes, and wait to see what happens.