New Layer Problem? or no...

[enggass]

Hi All,
I have 5 birds almost 25 weeks old - Began getting eggs just over 2 weeks ago. Now I am getting 3-4 eggs a day in the nest boxes. One of my birds however has laid 2 soft shelled eggs-in the coop(not nest box), which are then eaten by the others. Is it common for a young pullet to have trouble creating healthy eggs at first? They are all on the same diet - getting oyster shell as well. Seem healthy and active.
I'm assuming it's the same bird because I have gotten 4 good eggs in a day a few times now.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[sheila3935]

Yes it takes time to work out the kinks. Give a little extra calcium. Feed them back their eggshells they love it or give them oyster shells free choice in a small container. if you feed them egg shells crush it up so it doesnt look like an egg.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
In a word, yes. I'd think about even more calcium in treats if it continues, though. I'd also put plenty of golf balls around in the hope that they won't turn into egg eaters.

We all get a soft shelled egg now and then, I suspect, and sometimes mine have been eaten or partly eaten, and I've never had an egg eater. But I worry a bit about it. And I have golf balls around.

 

[Beckyinma]

Not all chickens will lay perfect shelled eggs their first times. There are a lot of kinks to work out of a new system. My first chicken to lay layed a shell-less yolk and a soft shell egg together on the coop floor. Took a week break then began laying regular eggs. My second layer layed a perfect egg the first time, in the nest box and has been fine since. It could be that this is your 5th layer beginning her cycle and working out the kinks. Doesn't sound like a problem, but if it continues, try to figure out which bird it is, perhaps isolate her for a day with some extra oyster shell and put some golf balls or wood eggs in the nest boxes to discourage eating.