Help please - Soft Shelled Eggs everyday and not sure what to do

[EttaMama]

I have 4 hens that are all 5 months old. 3 are currently laying and have been for about 4-5 weeks. Each one seems to lay an egg every day to every other day but one of them is consistently laying soft shelled or shell-less eggs as well. On average about 2 a day. I don't think it's the non-layer (she's an Americana and I've heard they take a while to start laying plus her eggs should be blue and these soft shells seem to be brown). We feed them Scratch and Peck Layer feed, they have access and do eat some oyster shell. Everyone seems healthy. Any ideas on why we're getting so many softshelled/no shell eggs? Could it be the nesting box (we have an Omlet Eglu Cube) is too busy/small for them? Should I add another nesting box or two to their covered run? Could it be their feed? Any ideas would be much appreciated! Just worried for whichever chicken this is happening to.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

(she's an Americana and I've heard they take a while to start laying plus her eggs should be blue and these soft shells seem to be brown).

AmerIcana.. with an I does not guarantee blue eggs.. they are Easter Eggers and sometimes lay brown or cream colored eggs. In my experience they are not particularly late layers.. some laying as early as 16 weeks.

Any ideas on why we're getting so many softshelled/no shell eggs?

Two possibilities.. new layer hiccups (the reproductive system is complex and may take some time to work out its kinks) or shell gland irregularity/deffect.

Could it be the nesting box (we have an Omlet Eglu Cube) is too busy/small for them?

This has nothing to do with it. If a pullet/hen finds the lay box too busy, they usually wait their turn and will still lay a hard shelled egg.. possibly in another location or hidden.

Should I add another nesting box or two to their covered run?

Answered in the previous statement with regards to the soft shells. However if your flock dynamics could benefit from another box or that's what you prefer to do then go ahead.

Could it be their feed?

Anything is possible. It sounds like they should be getting enough calcium, according to your description. Most layer feed is around 16% protein.. and protein does affect egg shell thickness/hardness.. so it's possible they (or an individual hen) may benefit from a higher protein feed. Many on this forum, myself included, prefer and use 20% protein (starter or flock raiser) with oyster shell free choice on the side.

Just worried for whichever chicken this is happening to.

It's not ideal and could ultimately cause some issues. How long has it been going on? Where are you finding the soft shelled or shelless eggs (under the roost, in the yard/run, in the box)?

The following link is very informative. Shelless eggs are seen in #10. If you have a chance watch the video, it's very cool...

Article 'Common egg quality problems'

Approximately 2% of all chicken eggs have some defect, ranging from minor, barely noticeable faults to downright alarming deformities. So the chances are pretty good that most, if not all flock owners will at some stage find an irregular egg. This article is about the most common egg...

• sumi
• Aug 27, 2013
• Updated May 3, 2016
• 11 min read
• 4.94 star(s) 283 ratings
• Reaction score: 387
• Comments: 237
• Reviews: 189
• Category: Maintaining A Healthy Flock

ETA: while disease is a possibility in most things, I try to look at all the contributing factors and definitely don't jump to that conclusion.