First Shell-less or Soft Shelled Egg Today

[LittleBits]

When I got home today, I found an EGG on TOP of the water bucket. At a distance, I thought it was a regular egg, but when I went inside the run, it was very SOFT. All intact, but soft. Just sitting there, minding its own business. Doesn't appear that any of the chickens tried to eat it or even peck at it.

Is a shell-less egg and a soft-shelled egg the same thing? If not, what is the difference? Should I be concerned - or not - if it doesn't happen again?

Does this type of egg leave the shell inside the hen where it could cut her? I have no idea which one did it. It kind of freaked me out.

Also - can you eat this egg? The membrane or whatever it is encased in, is pretty tough, but definitely soft, but there is poop on it. (Actually, on second thought, I don't think I want to eat it, even if it's OK to eat...

)

I'd be so happy

if someone can answer all these questions for me. I sure hope it doesn't happen again... I did read through a lot of posts in on this topic but still kind of hard to figure it out.

Thank you, BYCs!

 

[LaLa Chickie]

My Light Brahmas, LaLa and ChaCha were late layers and both started with shell less and soft only membrane shells and now at 7months, they are laying perfect eggs and sometimes double yokers. I did give them a bowl of oyster shell to see if it helped. I don't know if that did it or if they were just getting their systems in order. Either way, it's all good!

 

[LaLa Chickie]

Oh, and I boiled the egg, it was funny cause it expanded in the hot water like a water balloon and inside it was perfect. You should try it. It's hysterical

 

[LittleBits]

All our hens are a little more than 2 years old, I think, so it's not a "youngster" problem!

Well, since I get green thinking about eating it, I may just try boiling it and seeing what happens! As long as it doesn't explode and make a mess! lol

 

[LittleBits]

When I got home today, I found an EGG on TOP of the water bucket. At a distance, I thought it was a regular egg, but when I went inside the run, it was very SOFT. All intact, but soft. Just sitting there, minding its own business. Doesn't appear that any of the chickens tried to eat it or even peck at it.

Is a shell-less egg and a soft-shelled egg the same thing? If not, what is the difference? Should I be concerned - or not - if it doesn't happen again?

Does this type of egg leave the shell inside the hen where it could cut her? I have no idea which one did it. It kind of freaked me out.

Also - can you eat this egg? The membrane or whatever it is encased in, is pretty tough, but definitely soft, but there is poop on it. (Actually, on second thought, I don't think I want to eat it, even if it's OK to eat...

)

I'd be so happy

if someone can answer all these questions for me. I sure hope it doesn't happen again... I did read through a lot of posts in on this topic but still kind of hard to figure it out.

Thank you, BYC

Please feel free to answer - anyone - and thanks!

 

[LaLa Chickie]

If you don't want to eat it, sometimes I put those types out for the "crows"...they love them.. Good luck!

 

[aggiemae]

I have had an ongoing problem with shell less eggs for almost 6 weeks now. The hen was laying then off the roost, sometimes two a night. It continued even through her molt, which was so slight and slow that I wouldn't have noticed it if she wasn't our only yellow hen and the coop wasn't full of yellow feathers in the morning.

I was worried that she would get all gumpy inside and get infected so I kept and eye on her and added calcium to her diet thought she was already getting plenty. I noticed that her comb was brighter and her feathers fluffier last Friday and saw that she was visiting the nest box the past few days. Today she finally an egg with a shell. Based on how hard and rough it was I don't think calcium was the problem. Hopefully she is back to normal.

 

[LittleBits]

I have had an ongoing problem with shell less eggs for almost 6 weeks now. The hen was laying then off the roost, sometimes two a night. It continued even through her molt, which was so slight and slow that I wouldn't have noticed it if she wasn't our only yellow hen and the coop wasn't full of yellow feathers in the morning.

I was worried that she would get all gumpy inside and get infected so I kept and eye on her and added calcium to her diet thought she was already getting plenty. I noticed that her comb was brighter and her feathers fluffier last Friday and saw that she was visiting the nest box the past few days. Today she finally an egg with a shell. Based on how hard and rough it was I don't think calcium was the problem. Hopefully she is back to normal.

I'm glad she's OK! The soft or shell-less egg thing hasn't happened again, so far. Maybe just a bad day... Wish I knew which one did it though. I would think there would be more and from more than one chicken if it was a calcium problem. I feed their egg shells back but may also get some oyster shell, just in case. Guess everyone has an "off" day now and then - even chickens!!

 

[aggiemae]

Littlebits, I have had occasional soft shelled egg, especially when the days are very long in June and July. It's nothing to worry about.