no eggs

[Ashlyn Baack]

We have 6 red sex-links. They just started to lay about a week ago but as of yesterday, the eggs are soft shell and they are cracked open when we get them. At first we would get about 3 eggs a day but the last two days we only got 1 to 2 I am not sure if it is the heat or what. We do live in Tx. We use soy free non GMO feed. I am thinking maybe they might be deficient in something. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Darklingstorm]

Where do you live? If its hot then the chickens might be heat stressed and slowing down.

Have you looked (very carefully) for a hidden nest? Don't underestimate a chicken, I recently found one of mine jumping 4' to get inside a crate, laid her egg, then would jump out again. I just happen to be outside and caught her in the act.

Can the dogs get to the eggs? if so, they might be eating them or scaring the chickens enough that they found some place safer to lay their eggs.

Has there been a stressful situation lately? this could interrupt the laying also.

It there a possible predator getting in like a snake or skunk? Both of these will take eggs.

Have you checked for mites, lice, etc? Being sick can also stress a bird out to were it won't lay as much

 

[Birdlife99]

If they are not malting then I suspect 2 things.

1. About 6 months ago, we had not had any eggs for a week. When I went outside to give them some scraps and my australorp was no where to be seen. I searched everywhere and couldn't find her. I came back later and she was back, and another hen was missing. I was starting to wonder if this had something to do with no eggs. That night I locked them in their house and was going to wait to see if I got eggs. Nothing at midday do I let them out. My white leghorn raced out of the coop to a stack of old pipes and roof tiles at the back of our yard. I was shocked to see her laying on a pile of eggs. I thnk I counted 30. Have you checked your garden if they free range for garden nests? This could be a cause of no eggs.

2. Pest birds such as crows have got our eggs before. Also our dog pepper has got to the coop before and got an egg. You say you have two dogs so maybe they could be the cause?

I hope this helps and you get eggs soon

 

[Darklingstorm]

We have 6 red sex-links. They just started to lay about a week ago but as of yesterday, the eggs are soft shell and they are cracked open when we get them. At first we would get about 3 eggs a day but the last two days we only got 1 to 2 I am not sure if it is the heat or what. We do live in Tx. We use soy free non GMO feed. I am thinking maybe they might be deficient in something. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Are you providing them with crushed oyster shell? Its very important for egg production that they get enough calcium or your eggs will very thin and crack easily. Best choice it to let it be free choice and they will eat what they need to to lay good eggs.

 

[Ashlyn Baack]

We give them dried crushed chicken egg shells. Does tht help?

 

[Darklingstorm]

yes and no, If it's their own shells and they are already low on calcium then there won't be enough calcium replaced from eating their own shell.

You might want to try adding a vitamin/electrolytes to the water for a week and see if it makes a difference.

 

[Birdlife99]

I suggest to add 5mL of apple cider vinegar to 1L of water for all over health for your chickens. This will help in a lot of ways by strengthening their immune system and digestive health. Also shell grit would be a great idea, but still continue with the dry egg shell too.

 

[Ashlyn Baack]

Thank you so much!

 

[Ashlyn Baack]

Thank you all who responded. I am new to BYC and found your suggestions very helpful!

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I have two black sex links, one of which just began laying about 2 weeks ago. The first week I got an egg with no shell, then an egg with a rubbery shell, then a decent egg, followed by white only with the shell and yolk delivered on the poop board the next morning! I didn't know what to think!

I pushed the oyster shell and gave them additional protein via scrambled eggs and left over cooked ground beef.

She then gave me three good eggs - then none for three days - but began laying again and has been consistently laying ever since. I'm new to all this but I think it takes a while for their egg-laying equipment to get used to what's going on and start producing on a regular basis.