First soft shell egg

[Unicornlife3316]

I got my first soft shell egg tonight.

I noticed Maui (my white leghorn) was looking kind of dejected so I picked her up and massages her looking for a stuck egg, didn’t feel anything.

Walked away to check another chicken and when I came back, she had laid a soft shell egg. Complete, nothing broke inside her.

Anything I can do to help her?

They’re on an all flock crumble layer feed, oyster shell on the side, free range for 12+ hours a day. They’re about 22-23 weeks old ish.

I’m in Texas so it’s been hotter than hades but they have access to cold fresh water daily.

Any advice appreciated.

Pics included, the shell came off because the other chicken grabbed it.

I also found a fairy egg in the coop just before this.

 

[Dachshund lady59]

I'm fairly new to this chicken thing myself, but from what i understand from almost never ending research is that sometimes soft shells come from a lack of calcium and or a young hen whose calcium intake just hasn't caught up with her egg output. I have had 3 or 4 soft shell eggs when i had them on oyster shell aloneso i just started saving my egg shells, rinsing them, crushing them (put them through the food processor) and mixing that with the oyster shell.

Your right about it being hotter than hell here in texas. Supposed to be getting to 102 this week. Can't wait until the Hotter Than Hell 100 bike race this year, sure it will be.
My girls have been laying fewer eggs, I've put it up to the heat. The nice thing about that is that my Guineas have gone broody, but she likes to get off her nest for hours.

BTY What is a fairy egg? I think i got 1 a couple of months ago it was the size of a blue jay egg. Is that what you mean?

 

[Unicornlife3316]

I'm fairly new to this chicken thing myself, but from what i understand from almost never ending research is that sometimes soft shells come from a lack of calcium and or a young hen whose calcium intake just hasn't caught up with her egg output. I have had 3 or 4 soft shell eggs when i had them on oyster shell aloneso i just started saving my egg shells, rinsing them, crushing them (put them through the food processor) and mixing that with the oyster shell.

Your right about it being hotter than hell here in texas. Supposed to be getting to 102 this week. Can't wait until the Hotter Than Hell 100 bike race this year, sure it will be.
My girls have been laying fewer eggs, I've put it up to the heat. The nice thing about that is that my Guineas have gone broody, but she likes to get off her nest for hours.

BTY What is a fairy egg? I think i got 1 a couple of months ago it was the size of a blue jay egg. Is that what you mean?

She has oyster shell available at all times, but I was thinking of giving them some scrambled eggs tomorrow with some egg shells to see if that perks her up, I’m also going to give some electrolytes tomorrow to see if that helps.

I had a broody Guinea that I couldn’t find for 6 nights, drove me CRAZY because we have so many night predators, well something ran her off her nest and she’s been back in the coop for 2 nights, thank goodness. I have 18 Guinea eggs in the incubator right now!

Fairy eggs are super tiny, see pic attached. I found it in the coop while I was giving Maui a checkup. Just happened to see it.

I just hope my girl is OK in the AM, she seemed to be feeling pretty yuck because of that egg. She’s been a GREAT layer, laying basically daily for a month now. She started around 17 weeks, much earlier than anyone else.

 

[aart]

an all flock crumble layer feed

This is confusing....what brand and model, please?
'All flock' type feeds usually have more protein and less calcium than layer feeds.
Good to know those percentages, which should be on tag sewn into bottom of bag.

An occasional soft shelled egg is nothing to panic about.
The odd behavior as it's coming down the pike is also common,
first time I saw it it kinda freaked me out.

Electrolytes once a week are good for deterring heat stress during hot weather,
but make sure they also have access to plain water at the same time.

You're not using ACv in the water, are you?
That can interfere with calcium uptake.

 

[Unicornlife3316]

This is confusing....what brand and model, please?
'All flock' type feeds usually have more protein and less calcium than layer feeds.
Good to know those percentages, which should be on tag sewn into bottom of bag.

An occasional soft shelled egg is nothing to panic about.
The odd behavior as it's coming down the pike is also common,
first time I saw it it kinda freaked me out.

Electrolytes once a week are good for deterring heat stress during hot weather,
but make sure they also have access to plain water at the same time.

You're not using ACv in the water, are you?
That can interfere with calcium uptake.

Sorry - it’s a layer crumble, it’s from my local Co-op — I will get a picture of the tag in just a minute.

I was a little worried about her after she laid this, cause she didn’t seem to be feeling well but this morning she was the first one out of the gate and seems to be doing great, she ran straight to the barn, so I’m guessing she’s feeling better this morning but will keep a close eye on her.

Good to know for the electrolytes.

No, no ACV as I’ve read it pointless and the calcium issue.

They have a fresh waterer that I fill daily but most of them prefer to drink out of the cattle trough.. they even have to walk by their waterer to get to the trough. The guineas taught them that LOL

 

[GossChicks]

Where do you get the electrolytes? I have four GSL hens about 28 months old. Very hot here. Lately one had been laying Shell-less eggs three days in a row. Have not figured out which one. Would electrolytes help?

 

[aart]

Where do you get the electrolytes? I have four GSL hens about 28 months old. Very hot here. Lately one had been laying Shell-less eggs three days in a row. Have not figured out which one. Would electrolytes help?

At the farm store.
It may not 'cure' softshell eggs, could be other issues causing that, but it certainly helps their overall health during extreme temps. I use it in the winter too.

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.
It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

 

[Unicornlife3316]

The label ripped as I was getting it off the bag, but here it is.