- Nov 11, 2014
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A: This is an issue commonly seen in young layers. Their bodies aren’t quite in tune with the egg laying process and their hormones haven’t settled yet, which may provide you with a shell-less egg. The egg was in the reproductive tract long enough to have the shell membrane developed, but was not there long enough for the shell to be applied. Within a week, these eggs will usually stop appearing.
A lack of nutrition could also be the cause for a shell-less egg. This problem can occur more often in birds that are allowed to free range since they may not be getting enough calcium in their diet. Always provide access to a complete layer feed with at least 3.25% calcium in it that also contains vitamins and minerals to help support egg production. Limit the amount of treats, scratch, or wild bird seed to no more than 10% of the bird’s diet.
If your hens are free-ranging, consider placing dishes of oyster shell in the coop as a supplement to the forages they eat.
A lack of nutrition could also be the cause for a shell-less egg. This problem can occur more often in birds that are allowed to free range since they may not be getting enough calcium in their diet. Always provide access to a complete layer feed with at least 3.25% calcium in it that also contains vitamins and minerals to help support egg production. Limit the amount of treats, scratch, or wild bird seed to no more than 10% of the bird’s diet.
If your hens are free-ranging, consider placing dishes of oyster shell in the coop as a supplement to the forages they eat.
