Oops! Egg laying woes..

[Lady Lionheart]

This morning when I went to let my ladies out of the coop and clean up, I found two eggs under the roosts. One being white(has to be one of my two Blue Andalusians) was a first egg. So it's understandable that it came weird. I'm sure she'll get the hang of it soon. But the other is a soft shell. This could also be a first egg. I have four younger ladies. 22 weeks old. A few of them started squatting last week. I feed a 20% all flock feed and provide oyster shell and grit in separate containers. The shells of my older ladies have been perfectly hard. I've seen them eating the oyster shell. I've never seen my littles eating it. They do get bullied from my bigs a bit. My questions: Do I need to worry about the layer of the soft egg? And should I switch them to a layer feed? I would prefer not to, but will if that is the advice. Thanks for reading and sorry for the long post! By the way, I'll not be eating the white egg because it was covered in poop.

 

[aart]

My questions: Do I need to worry about the layer of the soft egg? And should I switch them to a layer feed?

No and No.

I also feed an all flock. This is what I did with my last batch of pullets as I didn't think they were 'getting' the OS.
I added another OS 'feeder' and also sprinkled some OS out with their scratch grains in the mornings a couple of times a week. They eventually figured it out...at least I assume they did as the OS is being consumed, tho not witnessed, and pullets eggs shells are good and hard.

Soft shells from new layers are not uncommon int he first week or so.
Stress from the 'hen power' can also have an effect.
Both should fade away as the pullets get their gear in order.
Can take up to a month or so for 'new laying' issues to resolve.

 

[aart]

Did you cut that open to see what was inside?
Another softshell with added anomalies.

Wonders if this is the bird that is laying the funky eggs?:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/crop-issue-need-help.1286561/

 

[aart]

It may be the same. I have seen the other brown egg layer pullet in the nest box and she lays a hard shell. I am not 100% sure tho.

Might be good to isolate your crop problem bird to rule her out, or confirm, as the funky egg dropper...and more easily observe and treat her.

I use a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so you can closely monitor their intake of food and water, crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed), and their poops. Feel their abdomen, from below vent to between legs, for squishy or hard swelling.

Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.

 

[aart]

Can someone please tell me the dose for human calcium?

@azygous has a lot of experience and some success with this.
Didn't work on my thin shell layer.

 

[Lady Lionheart]

Thank you both! I will start doing that! I love BYCs! Always so helpful!

 

[mixedbreeds]

Those folding dog crates are so useful for chickens. I have 3 of them now, one of the bigger 4’ ones and two of the next size down I don’t have one of the 24” models but I use them for observation as aart mentions to sick chickens even broody’s to nest in or a broody breaker well worth the money. Sometimes you can catch them on sale at chewy.com

 

[aart]

But this is also the bird that has the wing deformities that I posted about a while back. I will update this thread when I find out more information.

Ohhh....then she could have some deformities inside as well.

 

[Lady Lionheart]

Just an update: All kinks have been worked out of her system! Getting gorgeous eggs from her now!

 

[WindingRoad]

This morning when I went to let my ladies out of the coop and clean up, I found two eggs under the roosts. One being white(has to be one of my two Blue Andalusians) was a first egg. So it's understandable that it came weird. I'm sure she'll get the hang of it soon. But the other is a soft shell. This could also be a first egg. I have four younger ladies. 22 weeks old. A few of them started squatting last week. I feed a 20% all flock feed and provide oyster shell and grit in separate containers. The shells of my older ladies have been perfectly hard. I've seen them eating the oyster shell. I've never seen my littles eating it. They do get bullied from my bigs a bit. My questions: Do I need to worry about the layer of the soft egg? And should I switch them to a layer feed? I would prefer not to, but will if that is the advice. Thanks for reading and sorry for the long post! By the way, I'll not be eating the white egg because it was covered in poop.View attachment 1643607

It you think it's a first egg from someone it might be malformed. Their egg laying apparatus is gearing up to make eggs. Some times it takes more than one try. I remember the first time I made a cake from scratch. I was about 13 put waaaay too much milk in it so my sister said we'll add more flour and it tasted like paste. LOL. Now I can make a cake without a recipe. So give them time they'll get it right.

Also, I put a small amount of OS right on my chickens food then I know they are getting it. Also, smash your used egg shells, put them on a pizza pan in the oven 350F and dry them out for about 5-10 minutes. Ya have to be careful they don't burn so keep an eye on them and you'll know when they are "done". Then I smash them smaller and put them on feed. Good source of Ca++.