Intermittent soft shell eggs after moving

[erinpr]

Hi all!
Apologies for the lengthy post but wanted to provide lots of detail in the hopes that someone might be able to help me!! My husband and I have a mixed flock of 7 chickens. I have 6 laying hens and a roo. We were living in Texas and because of the mixed flock, after a lot of research on here and hemming and hawing I was feeding Purina Flock Raiser with oyster shell on the side. It was amazing and even both silkies were laying every day. One of the silkies got attacked by another hen so we segregated the two silkies on their own. Even when she was recovering she was laying well. They had two coops with two decent sized runs and would free range daily with supervision. About 1 month ago we packed them all up an moved to Canada. The drive didn't seem stressful and they continued to lay eggs. When we got to Canada it was very cold so I ended up heating their (very large, walk in coops) a little to keep them warm enough and keep the water from freezing. Its warm but not too warm. About a week after one of my silkies laid her first (ever!) soft shelled egg. They were still eating the flock raiser and getting daily oyster shell supplement. I noticed when the oyster shell is in the coop and not in the run like it was previously they would scratch and cover it up so I go out daily and uncover it and add some mealworms to entice them to eat some.

We have gotten about 6 soft shelled eggs over the last month since then from the same hen. She seems to be in good health otherwise and is eating, drinking, pooping normally with a good body condition. I tried switching them to the Gold N Layena chicken food (below) but it doesn't seem to help. We do have predators around but they are locked up safely at night. I plan to build a run as soon as the ground is not frozen anymore, haha. Anyone have any ideas? I'm just worried she'll become egg bound or get egg yolk peritonitis and I love her dearly. Is this feed appropriate? I'm still giving the other 5 mixed ones the grower, which shocked the feed store but its impossible to feed the roo separately. Any issues with this?

64975
GOLD’N LAYENA CRUMBLE
Guaranteed analysis

Crude Protein Min. 17.00 %
Crude Fat Min. 1.50 %
Crude Fibre Max. 4.50 %
Calcium Actual 3.80 %
Phosphorus Actual 0.60 %
Sodium Actual 0.16 %
Vitamin A Min. 9000 I.U./kg
Vitamin D3 Min. 2520 I.U./kg
Vitamin E Min. 27 I.U./kg
Selenium 0.30 ppm

6040
GOLD’N START & GROW CRUMBLE
Guaranteed analysis

Crude Protein Min. 20.00 %
Crude Fat Min. 3.00 %
Crude Fibre Max. 5.00 %
Calcium Actual 0.85 %
Phosphorus Actual 0.70 %
Sodium Actual 0.16 %
Vitamin A Min. 12000 I.U./kg
Vitamin D3 Min. 3000 I.U./kg
Vitamin E Min. 32 I.U./kg
Selenium 0.30 ppm

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Soft shelled eggs are from stress generally. The eggs come out before the shell can be applied. Minimizing stress is about all you can do.

I personally feed an All Flock with a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs. I have also fed a non medicated grower.

 

[aart]

Big Changes...give them more time to adjust.
I don't think binding or EYP is probable.
Are they more crowded in their new coop?

Not sure why you think the Layena would help...more calcium?
How long has she been on that feed?
I'd stick to the flock raiser, just mix some into the layer feed until the layer gone.

I hang my shell feeder on the wall where they can't cover it up or bill it out.

 

[erinpr]

Big Changes...give them more time to adjust.
I don't think binding or EYP is probable.
Are they more crowded in their new coop?

Not sure why you think the Layena would help...more calcium?
How long has she been on that feed?
I'd stick to the flock raiser, just mix some into the layer feed until the layer gone.

I hang my shell feeder on the wall where they can't cover it up or bill it out.

They are less crowded actually! But they don't have any outdoor space right now. Yes, was thinking more calcium in the layena. Plus they looked at me like I was crazy at the feed store so wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong. Hanging it is a great idea, thanks!

 

[aart]

Plus they looked at me like I was crazy at the feed store so wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong.

Ehhhh....many ways to raise birds, feed stores employees often only know one.
So go with your gut.