2nd day out of crate and minimal nest messing...haven't had any thin shelled eggs in the nest tho, only one on poop board. If she finds a thin/broken egg in nest, might start all over again.
I'll try to grab a picture if it happens again, but it's your typical case of "egg eaten by a beaked predator," where a jagged hole is made on the side of the shell facing upward, and about half the contents have been eaten (about all they can manage, without flexible tongues or lips to get the rest. I've seen this with ravens preying on wild turkey eggs as well). I did get a handful of soft-shelled eggs when my new pullets started laying last winter, but that stopped as they worked the kinks out of their egg-laying systems and got down to business. Any idea what is causing your ongoing thin-shell problem, @aart? I assume they have access to calcium supplements?
Just a malfunctioning hen or two.......stress could play a part.
The trick is getting them to use it.
3rd day out of crate, she laid, announced long and loud standing on roost, and messed no nests! The thin shell layer laid in nest but I found it before any could break it further and feast.
