So, I believe my BR laid her first egg yesterday. The yolk and size were all perfect, but the shell was very soft, almost like skin. Is this simply because it was the first one? Or does she need more calcium in her diet?
My hens just recently started laying too. I also had this problem. I switched them to a 15% layer mix and give them lots of fresh greens. Shells have been perfect since.
It is usually a minor problem in the laying process until their reproductive systems mature, I have occasionally had this happen my last layers had none, I agree just feed them greens and oyster shell and it should not be a problem for long.
Thanks to both of you for responding! I do let them roam around the yard for at least an hour a day for grass and so forth, but I only just started them on the lay pellets last week so maybe it take a bit. The first hen to start laying had hard shells right off the bat so I'm hoping its just a fluke for the second hen.