First Egg was broken

[scatherine99]

We got our first egg yesterday, unfortunately it was broken when we got there. Is there anything special I need to do to make sure it doesn't happen again? The pullets were eating the shells when I got there. TIA

 

[aart]

Was the shell thin?

Often new layers eggs can be softshelled or thinshelled and easily broken.....
.....a broken egg is fair game for them to eat IMO and will not usually lead the eating of hard shelled eggs.

But it's usually best to get those out of the way before they get eaten just because of the mess they can make.

Are you providing oyster shells in a separate container available to them all the time....in addition to their regular feed?

 

[scatherine99]

I have no idea if the shell was thin I just saw broken yolk and noticed the pullet eating the shell. I put out oyster shell today. I had some but am a complete newbie and didn't know quite when to start it. This is my first layer ever. I am now anxiously awaiting egg #2 LOL

 

[scatherine99]

Well we just got egg #2 it was a soft shell double yolk. How long does it take for the oyster shell to start helping?

 

[aart]

It's not just the oyster shell...new layer often lay soft ones even if they have been getting the calcium.
It can take up to a month or so for thing to smooth out...meanwhile you may get a number of funky eggs.

Is she on layer feed or something else?

 

[scatherine99]

She has been on layer feed for about a month she is 24 weeks old and I started them on layer feed about 20 weeks. I also put out extra oyster shell today.

 

[aart]

Then it's most likely just first layers syndrome.....you maybe well see more softies for a while, no worries.

 

[scatherine99]

ok thank you so much for your response. I have one other that should start laying any day as well so it's good to know it's normal!

 

[junebuggena]

Yep, it can take weeks for all parts of the egg laying system to start working together on a predictable schedule. It's also normal for eggs to be laid early in the morning while they are still on the roosts, or while they are running around in the run. It's also not uncommon for a pullet to go several days or even a week between eggs.

 

[scatherine99]

so far she has layed two days in a row at 4 pm LOL kind of crazy