xXDestinyXx
Chirping
Hello, all! Our girls FINALLY started laying in the last 2 weeks or so 
and one of our BR laid one shellless egg (that was a weird find to see the chickens eating 
) and has so far laid 3-4 more but they’ve all been soft shelled. We have another new lawithin the last few days laying small soft shelled ones as well (most likely one of our BA’s) and I’m just wondering how long it’s considered “normal-ish” for them to lay soft shelled ones in the beginning stages?? I mean, over the course of a few weeks will it straighten out, a few days, a week...?
We would have had a whopping half dozen yesterday
had these two girls laid regular eggs. 
I found another one this morning 
so I’m like dang, that’s a waste!
The other odd thing is, they’re laying them from their roost bar. Most likely before they come down first thing in the morning?? I go out pretty early and they’re directly underneath where the girls roost.
We feed Nutrena Healthy Hen because we prefer the girls on 18% protein and it has 3.9% calcium to note. We also have a large PVC pipe contraption that we fill with oyster shell so it’s readily available. They get fresh grass each day and refrigerated watermelon occasionally as of late because of this wretched heat. Ahhhh yeah I forgot to mention that earlier but this Arkansas heat is no joke lately!
Part of me wondered if the soft shelled eggs were from the heat too. We’ve been putting ice in their water a few times a day as well to keep it cool. They’re in a completely shaded/covered run so no worries of direct sunlight. We keep a box fan running as well both night and day until these temps ease up.
Anyway, any advice or input would be appreciated! Thanks!
and one of our BR laid one shellless egg (that was a weird find to see the chickens eating ) and has so far laid 3-4 more but they’ve all been soft shelled. We have another new lawithin the last few days laying small soft shelled ones as well (most likely one of our BA’s) and I’m just wondering how long it’s considered “normal-ish” for them to lay soft shelled ones in the beginning stages?? I mean, over the course of a few weeks will it straighten out, a few days, a week...?We would have had a whopping half dozen yesterday
had these two girls laid regular eggs. I found another one this morning so I’m like dang, that’s a waste! The other odd thing is, they’re laying them from their roost bar. Most likely before they come down first thing in the morning?? I go out pretty early and they’re directly underneath where the girls roost.
We feed Nutrena Healthy Hen because we prefer the girls on 18% protein and it has 3.9% calcium to note. We also have a large PVC pipe contraption that we fill with oyster shell so it’s readily available. They get fresh grass each day and refrigerated watermelon occasionally as of late because of this wretched heat. Ahhhh yeah I forgot to mention that earlier but this Arkansas heat is no joke lately!
Part of me wondered if the soft shelled eggs were from the heat too. We’ve been putting ice in their water a few times a day as well to keep it cool. They’re in a completely shaded/covered run so no worries of direct sunlight. We keep a box fan running as well both night and day until these temps ease up. Anyway, any advice or input would be appreciated! Thanks!
It was maybe 2 of our chickens that laid the soft ones while the others never did. It just takes a little bit of time for their systems to get in sync. 
... if they free range 8 hours a day, are they really getting all the nutrients they need from their layer feed and the available oyster shell. Maybe they are filling up, not on treats, but on the outdoor buffet? Here's a suggestion you might try for a week or so to see if it helps: keep the chickens confined till about 3 in the afternoon, then let them free range the rest of the day. Also, put golf balls or fake eggs in the nests where you want them to lay, they will lay there when they see those there. Good luck!
Hopefully pues get the kinks straightened out SOON. 
