Incomplete egg shell formation

[Ranak]

Hello all-

Attached is a photo of an egg I found today from my Ameraucana. There is a hole in the shell (doesn't appear to be pecked but rather formed that way) with the sack sealed off and the tab of the sack sticking out.

I found about five days ago an egg sack with no shell on the floor of the coop. What is ailing the chicken and how can I remedy?

The first egg from her was perfect. The second was cracked from hitting other eggs in the nest (or so I thought at the time).

Truly appreciate any insight and advice the group can provide.
Thanks,aim

 

[mountaingirl196]

This is a super resource:

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

Another good one:

https://store.alltech.com/blogs/poultry/20-common-egg-shell-quality-problems-and-causes

 

[chrissynemetz]

Is she a new layer?
Often new layers have weird egg issues for a bit while they work out the kinks.
What are you feeding her?

 

[Ranak]

Wow, those links are fabulous resources! Thank you so much for sending them out.

Yes, she is a new layer. I have a mixture of scratch grains, black oil sunflower and a 20% egg producer feed that my local feed store makes. They love the scratch grains and sunflower seeds. Haven't gone through much of the feed since they free-range all over the farm and seem to not be hungry when they get back to the coop. Thanks for the insight on working out the kinks! I'll monitor her progress. cheers.

 

[Eggcessive]

Feed the layer feed as 90% of their diet. Hold off with any scratch or SF seed for a few days to get them eating better. Then just give a small handful of those for treats. Scratch has only 7% protein. Both scratch and SFSeed are not complete or balanced diet, and her problem might be a calcium or vitamin/mineral deficiency. Infectious bronchitis virus can cause a lot of egg shell problems, but I would make sure that she is eating the layer feed and getting access to crushed oyster shell for extra calcium. They also need access to grit to help with digestion.

 

[mountaingirl196]

Scratch is like feeding them a diet of Snickers Bars.

Special treats only. And if you want to give them a great treat, skip the scratch and get them some meal worms. Or veggie trimmings.

If I were going to buy scratch, I'd give them a handful at Christmas. That's about it.

Yesterday I gave them the shells from a spaghetti squash I'd had for dinner the previous night. You'd have thought I was throwing a hen party.

 

[Henry&Friends]

If I were going to buy scratch, I'd give them a handful at Christmas. That's about it.

little scratch stockings... I’d hang them over the coop door

 

[Eggcessive]

I give a little scratch or sunflower seeds, a handful a couple of days a week. It is not needed or required, but they do like it. But it should be less than 10% of their feed, since it lacks essential vitamins and minerals, and too little protein.

 

[mountaingirl196]

little scratch stockings... I’d hang them over the coop door View attachment 2025351

That is awesome!

 

[Ranak]

Thanks for all the advice and I'll incorporate these practices now. I'll view scratch as I do sodas for my son: doesn't get them except on very special occasions! Super cute idea on the stockings! Appreciate your time to respond.