removed this from my hen...now what?

[Branch Chickens]

Pearl has been acting oddly for the past two days. Tonight I helped her pass this, with the aid of some olive oil. The entire soft shell seems to be intact. What follow up care should I offer? Should I be concerned?

 

[PirocaKeeper]

Pearl has been acting oddly for the past two days. Tonight I helped her pass this, with the aid of some olive oil. The entire soft shell seems to be intact. What follow up care should I offer? Should I be concerned?

She should be ok from this instance, but this may be an indication she may be lacking calcium, I would make sure she is getting additional calcium available to her, like oyster shells, the pet stores sell them in smaller bags, so you can try them. They only eat them if they need them. I always provide mine with it, I buy the big bag. Sometimes they eat it and sometimes they don't. I have placed it by itself and have also mixed it with the food at times. Your choice!

 

[Branch Chickens]

Thank you. We do have oyster shell. The rest of the flock's eggs have good, strong shells, so I'm wondering if this is because she's a new layer.

 

[PirocaKeeper]

Usually new layers have more calcium to provide as they have not been depleted by extensive laying cycles, but it is possible for a hen at any age to lay a soft shell egg. Sometimes the eggs detach themselves two late in the day and with not enough hours of sun, then hen does not have enough time to cover it with a shell. I would keep an eye on the pullet and if she continues to lay eggs like that, I would be more concern. Glad you got that stuff out of her. I could cause her an infection, when it is stuck in there. Good luck!