my Opr is laying soft eggs despite oyster shells

[Chickiemom25]

I have 3 hens. my Orp is the top of the roost and was sick last year and recovered. She started laying again this winter but the eggs are soft or shell-less. She often lays one in the coop not the nesting boxes before I even let the girls out at sunrise and I am not sure how early in the morning she is actually laying. All 3 hens have access to the same layer crumbles. Also there are oyster shell set out as well but she has no interest in them. Any suggestions? It seems to be more a production issue than calcium intake.

 

[Judy]

She may have had infectious bronchitis last year, or she may have a defective shell gland.

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publi...ndbook/16/thinshelled-eggs-and-shellless-eggs

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[Andiexb]

Ive had the same problem with one of my leghorns for a few months now. Most of my soft shelled eggs end up in the poop catcher that i have right below the roost which makes me think she does it while shes sleeping. does that sound like its possible for yours as well Chickiemom25? I'd love to see some answers on this thread as well!

 

[Chickiemom25]

definately. I am sure she is laying at night. the egg is cold in the morning if I get to it before it breaks and the girls try to eat it

 

[Chickiemom25]

the vet should have pickedup on infectious bronchitis plus the other 2 girls stayed healthy.. Her egg gland worked fine before she got sick and I have had 4 or 5 eggs that are good over the last 4 months... maybe the gland

 

[luckysaysgo]

How did this resolve? I'm having this samecproblem