Help Needed: Irregular Eggs from 20-Week-Old Hen

[Erin22]

Hello fellow chicken keepers,

I’m seeking advice on an issue I’m experiencing with one of my hens. She is about 20 weeks old and started laying eggs two weeks ago. Initially, she laid four normal eggs, but since then, I’ve noticed some irregularities:

Egg in Shell with Separate Yolk: One egg was normal but was encased in a single membrane with a yolk next to it. It all came out in 1 membrane (a single shell less egg yolk right next to a normal egg and they were together in 1 soft membrane covering).

Multiple Eggs that are Mucus: She has laid multiple times what seem to be mostly clear mucus-no shell just a blob of what would be considered an egg white.

Soft Shell Egg: Recently, she laid an egg with a very soft shell.

I’m concerned about these irregularities and want to ensure she is healthy and receiving proper care. Has anyone experienced similar issues? What could be causing these problems, and what steps can I take to address them?
I've attached her beginner normal eggs, mucus and soft she'll photos for reference.

 

[DemeterAD9]

What do you feed? Do have oyster shells available for them?

New layers may take several weeks to get into a good rythem, they have to work out all the kink. Perhaps with time and some extra calcium it will all work itself out.

 

[azygous]

What are the conditions she is currently experiencing? Weather, extraneous noise levels, dog activity, human traffic, etc? Stress is one of the biggest contributors to egg quality abnormalities.

Her age is another common factor. New layers often have these issues. Time usually corrects them. A human calcium tablet for three or four days can help straighten out her ovulation and shell issues. Give one tablet of calcium citrate directly into her beak. Don't worry about her having trouble swallowing a big pill. She will have far less trouble than you would.

 

[Erin22]

What do you feed? Do have oyster shells available for them?

New layers may take several weeks to get into a good rythem, they have to work out all the kink. Perhaps with time and some extra calcium it will all work itself out.

16% layer feed, we give meal worms for treats occasionally. I have not tried oyster shells yet. Thank you for the response!

 

[Erin22]

What are the conditions she is currently experiencing? Weather, extraneous noise levels, dog activity, human traffic, etc? Stress is one of the biggest contributors to egg quality abnormalities.

Her age is another common factor. New layers often have these issues. Time usually corrects them. A human calcium tablet for three or four days can help straighten out her ovulation and shell issues. Give one tablet of calcium citrate directly into her beak. Don't worry about her having trouble swallowing a big pill. She will have far less trouble than you would.

They have been hand raised and snuggled since they were 4 weeks old. They love human interaction. Have 1 dog who leaves the chickens be. They have been sleeping in house until 2 nights ago. They go outside to forage during the day. But due to predator proofing the coop we opted to keep in the house until fully read. She was laying her eggs around 5pm when she started outside in her coops nesting box a couple weeks ago. I was thinking (hoping) it was just a young hen problem but I don't know much about chickens albeit I'm learning. I will add a calcium tab...would that replace feeding her oyster shells? Or should I give both. I have not given her either as of yet. Just 16% layer feed. That is actually what they have been eating since they were 4 weeks ago. I just found out last night that layer feed shouldn't be fed until they start laying. Hopefully that didn't cause any of these issues? Thank you for the response!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Those are signs that she needs more calcium. Only providing layer without oyster shells is not enough. Laying hens need access to oyster shells at all times. At this point I would agree with given the calcium supplement.

 

[azygous]

Yes, oyster shell should be offered at all times in spite of short term calcium supplementation of calcium citrate. The two are absorbed at different rates. The supplement gives a quick burst of easily absorbed calcium to mitigate a temporary inability to adequately absorb the calcium carbonate of oyster shell. Calcium is one of the most important minerals for laying hens as it regulates ovulation, builds shells, and keeps the heart beating during the stress of laying an egg.

Whether or not any damage has occurred from early exposure to higher calcium remains to be seen. It would affect the kidneys mostly and depends on the individual's reaction to this exposure. Chances are no damage has occurred, but it's a practice that should be avoided for chicks, hens that have stopped laying and roosters.

 

[Erin22]

Those are signs that she needs more calcium. Only providing layer without oyster shells is not enough. Laying hens need access to oyster shells at all times. At this point I would agree with given the calcium supplement.

Ok. Thank you.

 

[Erin22]

Yes, oyster shell should be offered at all times in spite of short term calcium supplementation of calcium citrate. The two are absorbed at different rates. The supplement gives a quick burst of easily absorbed calcium to mitigate a temporary inability to adequately absorb the calcium carbonate of oyster shell. Calcium is one of the most important minerals for laying hens as it regulates ovulation, builds shells, and keeps the heart beating during the stress of laying an egg.

Whether or not any damage has occurred from early exposure to higher calcium remains to be seen. It would affect the kidneys mostly and depends on the individual's reaction to this exposure. Chances are no damage has occurred, but it's a practice that should be avoided for chicks, hens that have stopped laying and roosters.

Ok. I will get both and start her on them. Thank you so much!

 

[Erin22]

They have been hand raised and snuggled since they were 4 weeks old. They love human interaction. Have 1 dog who leaves the chickens be. They have been sleeping in house until 2 nights ago. They go outside to forage during the day. But due to predator proofing the coop we opted to keep in the house until fully read. She was laying her eggs around 5pm when she started outside in her coops nesting box a couple weeks ago. I was thinking (hoping) it was just a young hen problem but I don't know much about chickens albeit I'm learning. I will add a calcium tab...would that replace feeding her oyster shells? Or should I give both. I have not given her either as of yet. Just 16% layer feed. That is actually what they have been eating since they were 4 weeks ago. I just found out last night that layer feed shouldn't be fed until they start laying. Hopefully that didn't cause any of these issues? Thank you for the response!

Could you provide me with the adequate dosage of calcium citrate tab? Would 1 tablet of 350mg be enough? There are various options available and I want to be sure to give the appropriate amount.