Hen Laying Soft Eggs For A Month Straight

[shelbymikolajczyk]

Hello,

I have a Cinnamon Queen hen, a little over a year I believe (bought her already laying) that has laid soft eggs for over a month now. I am at a loss on what could be wrong with her. Has anyone else dealt with this?

Few things:
- yes she has layer feed, mixed with all flock feed since I wanted to up protein for molt
- she has “free choice” grit and oyster shell
- I have switched the oyster shells out to another brand and also even tried just their eggs shells
- her protein intake is there also
- she is acting completely fine other than its molting season, she shows no sickness or any signs of anything else
- also want to note I have other hens laying just fine

She has never consistently laid a soft egg like this. I know the Cinnamon Queen breed is known for complications, so trying to see if anyone has dealt with this and what it could be.

 

[Squawkers]

It could possibly be vitamin D3 deficiency. It could also be a shell gland infection. This happened to me once, my hen was laying soft shelled eggs for about 2 months straight. I treated her with antibiotics. There are also various diseases that could cause that. I’d also keep in mind that cinnamon queens are a production hybrid and reproductive issues are very common with hybrids.

 

[shelbymikolajczyk]

It could possibly be vitamin D3 deficiency. It could also be a shell gland infection. This happened to me once, my hen was laying soft shelled eggs for about 2 months straight. I treated her with antibiotics. There are also various diseases that could cause that. I’d also keep in mind that cinnamon queens are a production hybrid and reproductive issues are very common with hybrids.

Would you suggest a D3 vitamin or more antibiotic?

The only reason I am against an antibiotic is because I just treated them 50 days ago with one from a vet for an upper respiratory infection. She didn’t really show signs other than wheezing, but I treated my whole flock. Unless that antibiotic could have messed with her, that I’m not sure. I just know they are known for problems, so wanted to see if there is one last thing I could try before I have to figure out something with her.

 

[Squawkers]

Would you suggest a D3 vitamin or more antibiotic?

The only reason I am against an antibiotic is because I just treated them 50 days ago with one from a vet for an upper respiratory infection. She didn’t really show signs other than wheezing, but I treated my whole flock. Unless that antibiotic could have messed with her, that I’m not sure. I just know they are known for problems, so wanted to see if there is one last thing I could try before I have to figure out something with her.

I’m not entirely familiar with all of the ins and outs of reproduce disorders. If I were you I would go ahead and give a vitamin supplement and see if that helps. I know there are other deficiencies that can cause soft shelled eggs also. Like phosphorus and something that is in pecans (I’m so sorry, I can’t remember what it is called but I know it starts with an m) but, if I remember right, too much of phosphorus or vitamin D can cause that too. I’d give them a vitamin supplement and see what others say! I’m not sure that I’d giver her more antibiotics if she just had some, but I guess she could have gotten a shell gland infection after the antibiotics. Is your coop/run heavily shaded?

 

[Squawkers]

I would assume, though, that your other hens would be having the same problem if it is a deficiency.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I would assume, though, that your other hens would be having the same problem if it is a deficiency.

Since genetics and even laying capacity vary.. I would not.. and have actually proven (through hatching issues) within my own flock that some individuals need more support than others, even when feed parameters are spot on for the majority of the flock.

Has anyone else dealt with this?

Welcome to BYC!

I haven't dealt with it.. but the following link includes an article that has other possibile causes for soft shelled eggs..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/common-egg-quality-problems.65923/

 

[Squawkers]

Since genetics and even laying capacity vary.. I would not.. and have actually proven (through hatching issues) within my own flock that some individuals need more support than others, even when feed parameters are spot on for the majority of the flock.

Oh, that’s a very good point! Thanks

 

[shelbymikolajczyk]

I’m not entirely familiar with all of the ins and outs of reproduce disorders. If I were you I would go ahead and give a vitamin supplement and see if that helps. I know there are other deficiencies that can cause soft shelled eggs also. Like phosphorus and something that is in pecans (I’m so sorry, I can’t remember what it is called but I know it starts with an m) but, if I remember right, too much of phosphorus or vitamin D can cause that too. I’d give them a vitamin supplement and see what others say! I’m not sure that I’d giver her more antibiotics if she just had some, but I guess she could have gotten a shell gland infection after the antibiotics. Is your coop/run heavily shaded?

They have a fully enclosed coop and then their run is open. It is a temporary run for now until we have time to build one to match the coop. It is two 10ft retriever kennels together with shade cloths and tarps on the top. The sun shifts where they are so half will be shaded and then the other half shaded the other part of the day. Would shade or sun have anything to do with it?

I know sun is vitamin D, but she gets plenty for sure.

 

[Squawkers]

They have a fully enclosed coop and then their run is open. It is a temporary run for now until we have time to build one to match the coop. It is two 10ft retriever kennels together with shade cloths and tarps on the top. The sun shifts where they are so half will be shaded and then the other half shaded the other part of the day. Would shade or sun have anything to do with it?

I know sun is vitamin D, but she gets plenty for sure.

Yes, I would think that if the run has plenty of sun it isn’t that, but I’m not positive.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd try calcium citrate tablets with vit D dosed daily for 1-2 weeks and see if there's improvement. That'll take care of both any calcium and vit D concerns and also answer if the issue is a lack of calcium, or an internal issue such as with her shelling gland, where she's not properly processing calcium.