My hens laying odd eggs

[TurkeyTheQuail]

I have two, two month quail that are both laying eggs. one day, one of my quail started laying odd looking eggs. The shells started to get weaker, and they would vary in size. In the picture, the white one has dents in it because when I picked it up the whole thing almost cracked, which took me by surprise. Anyone have any clue whats causing this? (also I apologize for the low quality pictures)

 

[MysteryChicken]

Do you have oyster shells available for them?

 

[TurkeyTheQuail]

I don't have any right now. My local tractor supply may have some though, i'm not sure.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I don't have any right now. My local tractor supply may have some though, i'm not sure.

You can crush up some dried egg shells until you can get some oyster shell.

 

[TurkeyTheQuail]

Ok, Thank you! I don't think I can go today so I will definitely do that.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Ok, Thank you! I don't think I can go today so I will definitely do that.

You're welcome.

 

[Nabiki]

Mine prefer crushed eggshell to oyster shell, but yes, they need to have either 3.5% calcium in their feed or be offered calcium on the side.

 

[FloorCandy]

Edit: it didn’t update the replies, I didn’t know someone said this already.

Do you offer extra calcium like oyster shell? Often soft shelled eggs are due to the hens needing more calcium. Your birds are young, and if you offer calcium already, it could be that the young hens are still working out all the kinks internally. What type of food do you feed, if you give them calcium, does it look like they’re eating it? I have one hen who is already about 10 weeks, all the other hens lay beautiful perfect eggs every day, but she deposits soft sacs of egg goo every few days. It doesn’t bother me so much, obviously I’d prefer every hen pull her weight egg wise, but the other birds like to eat the soft shelled egg and usually eat most of it before I get it. They have oyster shell which I’ve seen them eating, their food has between 2.5 and 3 % calcium, so I’m guessing she’s just a late bloomer.

 

[TurkeyTheQuail]

I don't remember brand of food I feed them, (I wish I kept the bag) I just remember as chicks I fed them Dumor. The only one I really remember was a food made especially for female quails. I haven't been giving them calcium because on the bag it said it was already included in the feed (I'm fairly new to this). Are there any other ways I can get calcium into their diet besides oyster shells and other eggshells?

 

[Nabiki]

I don't remember brand of food I feed them, (I wish I kept the bag) I just remember as chicks I fed them Dumor. The only one I really remember was a food made especially for female quails. I haven't been giving them calcium because on the bag it said it was already included in the feed (I'm fairly new to this). Are there any other ways I can get calcium into their diet besides oyster shells and other eggshells?

Those are the easiest ways. You can look up other foods that are rich in calcium, but be careful of feeding too many 'treats'.