Ocassional soft shell egg?

[Debandchickens]

I have 6 layers, and generally am getting 6 beautiful hard shelled eggs every morning. However, occasionally we are finding a soft shelled egg, not in the nest though. This morning was where they roost over night, the other night was just over the threshold of their coop, another night was at the bottom of the ramp going into their coop. It almost seems like maybe it drops out and they aren't aware of it? Maybe because they already laid earlier in the day?

I'd also like to know what is considered too many treats? We might be guilty of that! Watermelon rinds, strawberries, clover and grasses are what we put in there. We dig up clumps of sods most everyday so they can eat the green then scratch the mud to their heart's content. We give them crumble whenever the dish is low, and I toss in some oyster shell for them. Maybe I should mix with their food - I read that on one of the earlier posts.

Should they produce 2 eggs a day?? It seems too much for them, and perhaps that is why they are soft shelled and not in their nest?

Thank you for any opinions and advice!

Debbie

 

[nchls school]

Young healthy hens normally produce a single egg each day and this varies depending on breed, age, and diet. Occasionally a hen will lay two eggs in one day, but this is not the norm.

As for the treats. What you are giving can be fed without limit. You will find that in time they will become pickier; eating their favorites. When you notice only certain items being eaten, limit that treat so they start to eat other things. Right now mine are on a clover kick leaving the other "treats" untouched. I will be limiting the clover so they start eating more of a variety.

 

[barneveldrerman]

The reason some of your eggs are soft is because they are lacking calcium. Try to give your hens calcium like oyster shells or your egg shells. If u do egg shells I found the best way to do it is to bake the shells in an oven till dry and crispy.

 

[Debandchickens]

all great advice! I do see them favouring some treats over others, so I will work on that. I put oyster shell in their crumble today, I hope they actually eat it. I'm really concerned about giving the egg shells though. They have been laying so nicely that I wouldn't want them to start eating their eggs.

I am such a proud grandma - Jack is home from the city and has helped me everyday collect the eggs - this day, he told me there are enough eggs to make a smile.....Thought I would share

 

[nchls school]

Feeding baked/cooked egg shell will not cause egg eating. I have been doing this for decades and I find it better than oyster shell. I have not had an egg eater chicken in ...I can't remember the last time. This is a great calcium source for those that have just a few chickens. Only raw, broken eggs cause egg eating.

 

[Ardizonne]

The shell is made with calcium, a few soft shells here and there are fine, but a constant production is do to a lack of calcium, which could hurt the chickens over time.

 

[Debandchickens]

thank you everyone.......maybe I will do the egg shells. Is there such a thing as too many? So I would wash, then bake or just let air dry?
Grateful for learning new things for my chickens!
Debbie

 

[nchls school]

thank you everyone.......maybe I will do the egg shells.  Is there such a thing as too many?  So I would wash, then bake or just let air dry?
Grateful for learning new things for my chickens!
Debbie

I do not bake the egg shells. As my wife uses eggs in her cooking/baking she air dries the shells and then crumbles them into small pieces, When we have an access of eggs Kimmi hard boils the lot and they are mashed up shells and all then fed. The shells can be baked of course; we just don't.

No soft boiled eggs-they MUST be cooked enough to rid any raw egg taste and texture and broken into small pieces..