Help with chuck laying soft shell eggs

[HelenR]

Hi
I am looking for some advice: I only have 4 Brahma hens as lost cockerel at start of the year, I have 3 young hens about 11 months old. One of these is having problems with laying, she started laying soft shell eggs, then a few hard eggs including a double yoker, but gone back to soft shell now, seems to have difficulties in passing them too, when she does they are all over the place , they are roaming hens round the garden but do have their house for at night and laying. Will she settle down or is there something I can do ? Her bum feathers are getting in a mess now too I have washed her and had to trim some feathers ! Can anyone help me please

 

[chickenlittle21]

When chickens lay eggs that have soft shells it generally means they are not getting enough calcium. Do you give them oyster shells all day?

 

[aart]

seems to have difficulties in passing them too, when she does they are all over the place

Yes, soft shelled eggs can be hard to pass, because there is no hard shell for the contractions work against, and why they often are laid anywhere.
What all and how exactly are you feeding?
Are your other birds laying 'good' eggs in the coop nests?

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @HelenR
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[HelenR]

Yes, soft shelled eggs can be hard to pass, because there is no hard shell for the contractions work against, and why they often are laid anywhere.
What all and how exactly are you feeding?
Are your other birds laying 'good' eggs in the coop nests?

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @HelenR
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2107671

The other hens are fine, shells not thick on the younger ones, I have started to mix oyster shells in their food. Now food is a problem, they have layers pellets but don’t really eat them, as they wander round the garden they won’t eat and I suppose I don’t help as at 4 ish every day they have sweet corn and some grapes ! It’s been quite warm
Here for time of year about 20degrees ! This is her first lay they all started about a month ago

Yes, soft shelled eggs can be hard to pass, because there is no hard shell for the contractions work against, and why they often are laid anywhere.
What all and how exactly are you feeding?
Are your other birds laying 'good' eggs in the coop nests?

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @HelenR
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2107671

hi, thank u ! The others are laying fine to be fair , eggs maybe not as thick as should be so I have started giving them oyster shells! The food is a little problem and prob my fault !! They have layers pellets but they don’t really eat much , as run round the garden eat the grass in stead !! I don’t help matters really since I have been on lock down they get treats about 4 ish of sweet corn and some grapes and maybe meal worms ! It has been quite warm here in the uk for time of year about 20 degrees . This is also her first lay only started about a month ago, she also has a slightly twisted toe , the others I got at same time started laying at same time

 

[aart]

Now food is a problem, they have layers pellets but don’t really eat them, as they wander round the garden they won’t eat and I suppose I don’t help as at 4 ish every day they have sweet corn and some grapes

Keep them confined with only layer feed for a week or so.
Stop with the treats.
See if that improves things.

 

[HelenR]

Thank you will give it a go