overnight shell-less eggs

[VanUnamed]

Hello, I do have a problem. I have a flock of 12 pullets. they have tharted laying for well over a month. Most eggs laid during the day, are shelled. when I go check at midnight or so, I found 2-3 shell-less eggs. I do pick these before they eat them, but i cannot be there to check every minute, i am sure some get eaten. I do not know what to do, they do get their calcium, even up to 6%. is this behaviour going to change with time?

 

[so lucky]

I have a pullet doing that too. I expect her egg production will get better in time. She's been laying from the roost thus far.

 

[chrissynemetz]

It's not uncommon for new layers to have shell-less eggs occasionally. Sometimes it takes a while for them to work all the kinks out. They should start to give you normal eggs soon. What are you feeding them?

 

[Mvan42]

I agree it often takes new layers some time. Keep removing them as soon as you can.
Do you have an extra calcium supplement for them? Most give oyster shells as a free choice.

 

[aart]

I do not know what to do, they do get their calcium, even up to 6%. is this behaviour going to change with time?

What exactly does this mean?
What all and how exactly are you feeding/supplementing?

How old are birds in weeks?
Is it possible that a couple just started laying?

 

[VanUnamed]

They are fed milled grain + concentrate + calcium carbonate, the package says to add 9% to have a 4% calcium feed. I do add in a way that it works out to be 6%. The ones that lay shelled the shells are normal. Not rock hard but not thin either.
Yes, it is possible that some have just started laying, their exact age in weeks I do not know as these were purchased as 3 weeks + at the hatchery, they say they do not sell anything below 3 weeks (probably due to vaccination) but they may be even older, so I am not 100% sure how old they are.
I don't think adding a bit more calcium is going to hurt them in any way, my feeling is that larger birds on a free-range basis need more than 4% but I may be wrong.
My thinking is that if people give oyster shell free-choice, in addition to a layer feed, and the hens eat it, that means 4% in the layer's feed is not enough. Unfortunately i cannot find oyster shells at this time.
I have another flock with lohman red and they lay very hard shelled eggs on 4% calcium, I think it's also genetic?
thanks for your kind replies