My EE has laid several soft eggs in a row.

[Pet Duck Boy]

Hawk, my EE girl usually lays a very nice dark green egg every day or two. But lately (The past 5-6 days) she's been laying soft-shelled eggs, heck, no shell. Just a tough green membrane. Not even in the nest box but somewhere around the run. She is a new layer though, started a month ago. The others enjoy this, since they break the membrane and gobble the yolk up everytime, though they don't bother the daily normal eggs. I was gone for 4 days, and during this time all 5 ate nothing but 16% layer (With 4% calcium) and any bug that wandered in. When I got back I found around 3 dried up membranes. It has me worried since she hasn't laid a normal egg for a several days. They are let out for several hours a day if the weather permits, get a nightly handful of oyster shell scattered on the ground, the regular layer, bananas, cheese, spinach, and other fruit. This has been their regular diet for 2 months and all eggs have been perfect up until now. Is this just a kink in her egg laying, or something I should be more worrid about? Her behavior is jsut fine.

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

Anyone??? She went in the nest box for a little bit and came out, but there was no sign of an egg.

 

[shopchicks]

I don't know, but this exact thing is happening with my green egg laying EE right now. Got a thin-shelled egg that she layed off of the roost, and a fart egg after several days of no eggs. All the other girls are laying fine. I'm hoping it's just a phase while her system gets used to the egg-laying routine.

Good luck with yours!

 

[SkyWarrior]

Try adding oyster shell to their diet. She's missing enough calcium to make the eggs. Offer it free choice.

Edited:

Okay, I see she's got oyster shell -- I'd offer it free feed all the time. Chances are the eggs will firm up over time.

 

[mpwjaa06]

I give my girls sunflower seeds too. Plus I give mine dry dog food that I soak and I have never had that problem have heard of alot of ppl saying that it happens.

 

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:

Just out of curiosity, why do you offer dog food?

 

[Montana-Hens]

I have had similar circumstances....

A newly laying EE laid about 3 soft shell to every usable egg. Now she has completely stopped laying after this stuff for 2 weeks, she is now eggless for this whole last weeek. She is only 24 weeks old. I am not sure what comes next, but all my other ladies are laying just fine. No shell problems and no missing eggs.

I hope this girl figures things out soon. Am I have the same problem Pet Duck Boy?

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Please offer your girls oyster shells in a bowl, free choice. This way, each can consume what their body requires - some girls need more and some need less. When you put it in the run/coop, make a fuss over it, so that your girls gather round and try some. I have noticed my head roo will bring the girls over to the oyster bowl and cluck/sing so the girls nibble on some.

 

[NRHobbyFarm]

Please offer your girls oyster shells in a bowl, free choice. This way, each can consume what their body requires - some girls need more and some need less. When you put it in the run/coop, make a fuss over it, so that your girls gather round and try some. I have noticed my head roo will bring the girls over to the oyster bowl and cluck/sing so the girls nibble on some.

I do this and am having the same issue OP is having with my EE but her membrane is white on the eggs

 

[TX Chick Noob]

If they started laying fairly recently it is supposed to be normal for them to have some soft/shell-less eggs. I think the usual wisdom is not to worry unless it goes on past several weeks. Beyond that you may need to supplement that one pullet with some calcium citrate+D.

Pinging @azygous for wisdom and confirmation