No shell covering egg, just a thin membrane...

[JJReine]

My new layer (her 2nd egg now) is laying eggs with no shells on them. Just a thin, membrane type covering. It's soft like gel. She eats terrific, gets her scratch and plenty of heatlhy treats every single day without fail. What could she be missing in her diet? Also, ever since she started laying she's been real bossy with her 3 sisters....crazy girl...my other 3 are laying great and have nice, hard shells.

 

[JodyJo]

do you offer oyster shell on the side? she is new, my first 3 eggs from different girls, all were soft and icky like that. I finally got a great egg the other day...

 

[JJReine]

I mix the oyster shell in with their morning oats, but none of them are real crazy about the oyster shell. When I got out to check, all the oats are gone and I see the oyster shell hasn't been touched! Well, it's encouraging to know that your first few were like that and got better as time went on. Thanks!

 

[JodyJo]

don't mix the oyster shell in, I have a small feeder attached to the wall, they know where it is and go to it when they need it...your girls aren't really laying so they don't feel the need to eat it yet. They will. I have noticed more of mine heading to the feeder more often now...that means more eggs!!

I give it a week or two before we both start getting more, stronger eggs....

My first really good egg!

 

[Buff-Island-Australorp]

Quote:
My new layer's 3rd egg was like this. The two before and the ones after have been perfect.
NO WORRIES.

 

[JJReine]

So, what you are pretty much saying is to give them the Oyster Shell separately and that they will actually know when they are suppose to eat it? Is it something they "crave"? - like a horse & it's salt lick?

 

[chickengrandma]

Yes, the oyster shells should definitely be served on the side.

They'll eat them if they need/want them.

Also, don't give them very much scratch. At our house we call it "donuts"...for a reason. It reminds us that scratch is a treat and not much nutritional value. Kinda like donuts - they are sooooo goooooddd but soooo bad for ya!

When you say you are feeding the "oats", do you mean "layer chicken feed"? Just double checking because that is what they should be getting.

Some other ways to get them protein and calcium that they just love: yogurt, scrambled eggs and shredded cheese.

And, don't worry about the soft shelled egg(s). I bet the next one you find will be a nice hard shelled beauty!

Oh yeah, and about the bossy/crankiness...I don't know about you, but every time I produce an egg I get a little cranky - at least according to my husband!

She'll outgrown the crankiness...she's just in her teenage, hormone overload time.

 

[ChickenLove123]

Quote:
Funny!

 

[JodyJo]

Quote:
#1, yes, offer on the side, they "know" when they need it...

#2, Oh yeah, and about the bossy/crankiness...I don't know about you, but every time I produce an egg I get a little cranky - at least according to my husband!

 

[JJReine]

Hold the phone - are Oyster Shells and Scratch two different things?

What I mean by oats is "dried oatmeal". Before work each morning I go out to say good morning to them and that is the happy morning treat. I am feeding them the layer chicken feed.

I give them shredded cheese a few times a week, never tried scrambled eggs (sounds sacriligeous...) and will try the yogurt tonight.

I agree, they are like bad teenagers! God forbid I go sit with them while trying to read a newspaper...i think they enjoy eating the paper more than any treat I've ever given them! Just hysterical. Whod've ever think how much you can love your girls. I think about them all day long. They bring me MUCH JOY!