One of my hens is laying eggs that have very fragile/ almost no shells

[Onnie1776]

Hi All.

My hens have finally started laying eggs. Yay!

I noticed one of the hens appears to be laying eggs that are almost entirely shell-less. When I get the eggs hers area always broken with the membrane and yolk exposed in the nesting box. I feed all the hens the same and only one hen appears to have bad eggs. I would say this is a nutrition issue, but would love some expert advice.

Thanks.
Andrea

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

I'm assuming these are pullets just starting to lay their first eggs. This is pretty normal - they're getting everything sorted out and may lay eggs without shells, double yolkers (or more), eggs with no yolks, fairy eggs, might not lay for a couple weeks, etc.

Do make sure they are getting enough calcium. We feed the crushed eggshells back to the chickens. You can also feed oyster shells to give them the calcium they need for laying strong eggs.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi All.

My hens have finally started laying eggs. Yay!

I noticed one of the hens appears to be laying eggs that are almost entirely shell-less. When I get the eggs hers area always broken with the membrane and yolk exposed in the nesting box. I feed all the hens the same and only one hen appears to have bad eggs. I would say this is a nutrition issue, but would love some expert advice.

Thanks.
Andrea

Provide extra oyster shell free choice and see how she does. Sometimes they have a little trouble getting it right at first.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

As long as you have oyster shell (or layer feed) available, this is a common hiccup for birds just coming into or exiting lay for the season. Their shell gland is developing and working out its' kinks.

The shell is a very obvious hiccup, but those are the reason I NEVER try to hatch from fresh layers... I don't want deformities from other hiccups that might still be working themselves out but aren't as obvious.

It usually correct itself fairly soon, though there is always a possibility of a girl who has a truly defective shell gland. But I would presume maturing still to be the case.

Congrats on getting eggs after the long wait!

 

[lazy gardener]

Onnie, are they pullets coming into lay, or older hens? if pullets it will likely correct it'self. If older hens, they might benefit from higher protein (animal if you can supply it), OS offered free choice and extra multi-vitamins. Calcium is only one piece of the egg quality puzzle.

 

[Onnie1776]

My hens are just starting to lay their eggs. This is my first time so I started to panic a bit. I feed them the Nutrena Layer Feed 16% and most of my hens are laying really nice eggs, but there is one who is struggling a bit. I will cease my panicking and just watch and see how it goes. Thanks!