my first soft shell..

[chicky gal1]

just went out to tuck my girls in for the night and found my first soft shelled egg and another one on the ground (not in the nesting box - which has also never happened before). They free range for a few hours each day. I remember seeing a post some where about needing calcium maybe? any thoughts would be great!

 

[azelgin]

Quote:
Were they shelless? With just the membrane? That sometimes happens and doesn't appear to have anything to do with them getting enough calcium. I get about one shelless a week. Weak shells are usually the sign they need more calcium. If the shelled eggs you get are fine, I wouldn't worry about them.

 

[chicky gal1]

ya I would call them shelless. a perfect yoke inside, already cooked it up for them for tomorrow, but no hard shell on the outside. they have been laying for months now. weird? not to worry i guess?

 

[buffkota]

Make sure that you are mixing some grit with their feed and the problem should go away.

 

[azelgin]

Quote:
Grit in the feed doesn't have much to do with shelless eggs. More of an egg laying malfunction, instead of a dietary issue. Mine have an unlimited supply of granite grit (my driveway) and shelless eggs still show up.

 

[chicky gal1]

Haven't seen any more, quess it was a fluke!

Thanks for the tips, I did use the grit/oyster shells too.