PLEASE HELP!!!! Soft eggs from my year old hen

[little farmer]

Hello, I have a hen that is about a year old, and she is a bantam. Recently she has been laying soft shells with tough membranes. Occasionally, her egg will crack in the warm part where she lays her eggs because one of the other hens stepped on it or something. Why is she laying soft-shelled eggs? Is it because she is having lack of food? She is at the bottom of the pecking order, but pecks one of the other hens. Please help me!!!!! Thanks!!

 

[Tommy12241]

This is what you need to do. At your feed store ask for crushed oyster shells. Mix in the recommended dose with your feed. Also if your not giving her egg crumbles you should get some of that. Eggs are highly effected by diet. Any more questions feel free to ask

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

Calcium will help, that is what the oyster shells are. You can get other supplements too, but I'm not sure what they contain. One of my pullets laid one softshelled egg the other day, but I've never had any other problems and I don't give them any supplemental calcium.

 

[little farmer]

Thanks!! I'll try and get some oyster shells. Oh, and Tommy, what are egg crumbles? Are they just egg shells? If not could you tell me what they are too?

 

[Tommy12241]

Egg crumbles are a special feed designed to laying hens. It contains all of the nutrients that they need to pump out healthy strong eggs. Ask your local feed store about it. They should have it.

 

[Tommy12241]

Also it isnt really that expensive. So dont worry about a huge cost or anything

 

[little farmer]

Okay, thanks!!! I'll get some of both just in case. Also, is it okay if my other hens get some of it? I have three other ones besides this one, but their eggs are good. Is that okay if they get some too??

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

It'll just give them thicker shells and maybe a calcium deposit. I heard that oyster shell should just be put in a bin near the food, and they eat it when they need it.

 

[Tommy12241]

Yes it will be perfectly fine for the others to get it. You may see some calcium deposits but nothing harmful. When your softshell hen starts getting calcium you may see ridges or bumps on the shell. And it will be brittle at first. But thats normal for a change of diet. Give it a little time and she`ll have beautiful eggs

 

[little farmer]

Thank you!!! What are calcium deposits? Sorry, I know I ask a lot of questions.