No shell?

[Party_Chicken]

I found an egg without a shell today. Is this just something that will happen? My hens are mostly free range and they have oyster strong feed.

 

[Eggcessive]

How old are your hens? If you can figure out which hen laid the soft egg, or if she lays another, you could give some human calcium citrate with vitamin D for a week to see if it helps. They sell those at Walmart, and drugstores in the vitamin aisle.

 

[Party_Chicken]

How old are your hens? If you can figure out which hen laid the soft egg, or if she lays another, you could give some human calcium citrate with vitamin D for a week to see if it helps. They sell those at Walmart, and drugstores in the vitamin aisle.

My laying hens are a year old. Then my pullets range from 19-22 weeks. I’ll update you if she lays another one.

 

[Eggcessive]

It could have been a pullet egg which sometimes can be softies.

 

[Party_Chicken]

It could have been a pullet egg which sometimes can be softies.

These are pictures of my pullets plus my cockerel just ignore him. I think the firbo might have laid it. Who do you suspect?

 

[Party_Chicken]

Bump

 

[Party_Chicken]

If anyone else has ideas that would bbe helpful.

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you checked to see if their pelvic bones are separated? A pullet that has started laying will have bright red wattles and comb, they will squat for you, their breast muscles will feel fuller and soft, and their 3 pelvic bones will not be separated. Here is a link about how to check them:
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-when-a-Hen-Is-Ready-to-Lay

 

[Party_Chicken]

Have you checked to see if their pelvic bones are separated? A pullet that has started laying will have bright red wattles and comb, they will squat for you, their breast muscles will feel fuller and soft, and their 3 pelvic bones will not be separated. Here is a link about how to check them:
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-when-a-Hen-Is-Ready-to-Lay

Well she’s very skidish so I tried it and now my arm is covered in scratches. I’ll have to try again later.

 

[Eggcessive]

At night when they are roosting is a good time to pick up a chickens and examine it or give medications. I have my dorky head lamp that I wear with the red light on so that I can slip into the coop undetected, and grab them off the roost. Yes, we have all been scratched a few times, and it gets easier with practice.