Hen Laying Constant Soft Shells

[HomesteaderWife]

Hi folks- I will try to give the best background info I can. We have a bantam mixed breed hen who is going on about 3 years old now. She had just been laying for a few months when a dog attack traumatized her and killed most of her flock mates. She stopped laying entirely. A year later, we still were not getting eggs from her. She eventually started again, but every single egg is soft-shelled, and before hand she has leakage from her vent. She will check out the nest box, but most of the time she squats and drops the egg on the ground and the other hens immediately try to eat it.

This is still happening even with diet changes and oyster shell. Can someone provide info/links/advice as to what else may be the issue and how we can correct this? None of the other hens have this issue- everyone is healthy otherwise. Thanks to any helpers!

 

[tribalacres]

I'm no expert other than I've read after two years it's tougher on the hens. Again, no expert just trying to help. Also calcium is low.... I did find this forum from years ago kinda similar.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hen-continues-to-lay-soft-shell-eggs-whats-wrong.650574/

 

[aart]

This is still happening even with diet changes and oyster shell. Can someone provide info/links/advice as to what else may be the issue and how we can correct this? None of the other hens have this issue- everyone is healthy otherwise. Thanks to any helpers!

She may have been injured internally during the attack?
If only one bird is laying 'bad' eggs' it's likely a bird problem not a diet problem.
You could try supplementing her with calcium citrate with vitD and see if that helps,
crate her and fed crushed tabs in a treat.

 

[HomesteaderWife]

@aart - She was so young and small at the time that the rooster had been really mean to her, so luckily she was in a separate cage area inside the pen and was not injured herself. But she was still very upset afterwards and fearful of almost everything and every action for months after.

I'll try the suggestion you've given and see how it helps her. Any dosage/mg info for her being a bantam-size?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Hi folks- I will try to give the best background info I can. We have a bantam mixed breed hen who is going on about 3 years old now. She had just been laying for a few months when a dog attack traumatized her and killed most of her flock mates. She stopped laying entirely. A year later, we still were not getting eggs from her. She eventually started again, but every single egg is soft-shelled, and before hand she has leakage from her vent. She will check out the nest box, but most of the time she squats and drops the egg on the ground and the other hens immediately try to eat it.

This is still happening even with diet changes and oyster shell. Can someone provide info/links/advice as to what else may be the issue and how we can correct this? None of the other hens have this issue- everyone is healthy otherwise. Thanks to any helpers!

At that age the likelihood of odd eggs does increase quite a bit. While a lack of calcium can cause soft eggs, so can a lack of phosphorous, which aids in calcium absorption. Foods rich in phosphorous are certain fish, especially carp and sardines, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, low-fat dairy products, sprouted or fermented wheat grains, and soy beans. This could also be a sign of an internal problem. Chickens, especially older chickens, are more prone to reproductive cancers and infections. If you suspect this, the only way to get a more definitive answer is to take her to a vet or perform a necropsy if she passes. If it were me, at her age, I'd try giving her some phosphorous rich foods and monitor her. I am not sure I'd go the vet route due to cost, but I wholly support this choice for those who are able to and can afford it.

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Thank you @humblehillsfarm - we will definitely be trying these in her diet to help her along.

I will be sure to update once we've made some of these changes - hopefully we will be finding a tiny, complete-shelled egg in the nest box one day soon!