Shell less egg from new layer

[El Padre eGGers]

I've got a pullet that just started to lay a couple days ago. The first shell-less egg was on July 28th. Small but squishy membrane. I cut it open and it had an egg white and a 'weird' blob of a yolk. Not sure I'd actually call it a yolk. This was laid in the middle of the run. Today on the floor of the coop, in front of the nesting boxes, I got a 2nd shell-less egg. This one bigger than the first but still a squishy membrane. The inside contents resembled a diseased alien lifeform. All my pullets were hatched March 11th. They've all been on Kalmbach chick starter crumbles. I recently mixed in some Kalmbach layer feed crumbles to transition to that. There is grit and oyster shell available as supplemental. All the pullets get some free range time and o throw them some scratch or black soldier fly larva as a treat. I think it's the same pullet that laid both eggs. Is there anything else I should do or provide to help get a shell going?

 

[talkinboutchickens]

I'm not sure if there's anything else you can do, you provided everything she needs sounds like.
It's normal that a hen's first egg(s) is/are soft-shelled.
It may be that she is stressed. I would give your chickens electrolytes and see if that helps.
Also, read this article.
https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2014/04/soft-shelled-or-rubber-eggs-causes-and.html

 

[talkinboutchickens]

I'm not sure if there's anything else you can do, you provided everything she needs sounds like.
It's normal that a hen's first egg(s) is/are soft-shelled.
It may be that she is stressed. I would give your chickens electrolytes and see if that helps.
Also, read this article.
https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2014/04/soft-shelled-or-rubber-eggs-causes-and.html

It could also be because of heat stress.

 

[FrostRanger]

The texture is probably from the heat.

Does she have access to oyster shell? If not, I'd provide access immediately.

In any case, it's totally normal for a pullet's first few eggs to be a bit wonky. If she lays shelless eggs for more than a few days though, I'd give her a calcium citrate + d3 tablet just to give her a boost

 

[aart]

Cut out all but the layer feed.
Are they consuming the oyster shell?
Maybe spread some out on the ground to get them used to eating it.
Do you have other new layers laying 'good' eggs?

Those 'yolks' look very strange. Did you cut into them?
Were they solid or liquid?

 

[El Padre eGGers]

I didn't cut into the yolks before throwing them away. The first one seemed more of a mucous consistency. The second one...I just saw that, snapped a picture and tossed it. Kinda grossed me out.

I've sprinkled some oyster shell down on the ground. I had seen some of the pullets eating it before, but I could not positively state who was eating it.

I've got 8 pullets. 5 Easter eggers, 2 black australorps and 1 blue orpington. I know for sure that 2 of the EE's have been laying. 1 black australorp just laid her first egg today. All of those eggs have been hard shell, nicely shaped and the insides/yolks looked great. I think maybe 1 of the other EEs might have laid a 'good' egg too, but I can't be 100% sure.

As I was sprinkling down oyster shell, I found another shell-less egg in the run. I swear this was not there earlier today. Surely it can't be the same pullet with 2 eggs in the same day!?! This one was smaller than the one earlier today. The inside was nothing but liquid yolk.

I will withhold treats and let them have only their layer feed. Should they stay only in the run area or be allowed to free range a bit for the day? I try to give them at least an hour or two a day if my schedule allows.

 

[FrostRanger]

I'd provide the oyster shell in a separate dish free choice. Free ranging is fine, just don't provide extras yourself

 

[El Padre eGGers]

I'd provide the oyster shell in a separate dish free choice. Free ranging is fine, just don't provide extras yourself

I had my first pullet start to do the submissive squat on 07/07/24. When I saw that, I've provided oyster shell in a separate dish since then. Just tonight I sprinkled some on the ground too.

 

[El Padre eGGers]

Thank you for all of the responses and suggestions on what to do. I followed the advice given...the results, 5 eggs in one day! 2new laying pullets with normal looking eggs! No more rubber eggs at this time.

I've got 2 pullets that could lay at any point, so excited to see those eggs.

Thank you again for the assistance and patience with my newbie chicken owner fretting.

 

[Australorpismyfav]

I've got a pullet that just started to lay a couple days ago. The first shell-less egg was on July 28th. Small but squishy membrane. I cut it open and it had an egg white and a 'weird' blob of a yolk. Not sure I'd actually call it a yolk. This was laid in the middle of the run. Today on the floor of the coop, in front of the nesting boxes, I got a 2nd shell-less egg. This one bigger than the first but still a squishy membrane. The inside contents resembled a diseased alien lifeform. All my pullets were hatched March 11th. They've all been on Kalmbach chick starter crumbles. I recently mixed in some Kalmbach layer feed crumbles to transition to that. There is grit and oyster shell available as supplemental. All the pullets get some free range time and o throw them some scratch or black soldier fly larva as a treat. I think it's the same pullet that laid both eggs. Is there anything else I should do or provide to help get a shell going?

Your chicken is a new layer, Give her time to "update" her laying. The more she does it the more hard her eggs will be. Give her Mealworms and protein blocks this should help.