Shell-less Egg

[micstrachan]

So I switched the feed over from 16% protein layer to 22% protein grower with oyster shell on the side and the girls have been doing great. Going through oyster shell pretty quickly!
Tonight I got home late and when I “tucked the girls in,” there was a shell-less egg under the roost. Not sure whose egg, but four are coming out of molt, and a couple of those are starting to squat.
Those of you who know me know I lost my first hen Rusty last fall to a laying disorder and am pretty paranoid about their health. So, of course, I’m concerned about the oops egg tonight.
Could it just be that someone is coming back into lay and hasn’t sorted it out yet? One of the girls whose molt is over and is starting to squat gets bullied from feed, so I scatter containers all over the run. However, I only have the oyster shell in one area. Shuld I put it out in more than one spot in case someone’s not being allowed access to it?
I’m still pretty sensitive about the loss of Rusty, and can hardly bear the thought of going through that again already. My chickens are all hatchery stock, so I’m on pretty high alert for laying issues. I try to provide my little flock the best life they can have.
On a side note (or not) the first pullet to finish her molt is my Buff Orp, Cashew, and while she’s feathered in nicely, she still feels quite light in weight.
Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

 

[LunaTheSickChick]

Yes, it can happen! These eggs feel like squishy bouncy balls and there are a few reasons as to why they happen. Sometimes these reasons are reversible and other times they are not.

Sometimes, as new pullets begin to start laying, their eggs can be mis-shaped as well as without shells. The shells can be thin or missing all together. To remedy this, ensure that they are on layer feed and give it some time. With proper nutrition, often their systems just needs a bit of time to figure things out.

Be sure that your flock has access to crushed oyster shells or crushed egg shells. To make thick egg shells, the hens need calcium.

Be sure your layers are on layer feed. They also need adequate Vitamin D.

Hens’ bodies form their eggs while they sleep. If for some reason, they are startled in the night from a predator’ visit, sometimes eggs can be laid without shells.

Anytime the flock is under stress such as molting, predators, excessive temperatures, change in the flock etc.

As we age, our bodies slow down. The same goes for chickens. With age comes less reliable reproductive systems, decreases in eggs and sometimes more malfunctions in the egg laying process.

Hope this helps
Good Luck

 

[micstrachan]

Thanks. I have seen rubber eggs from two of my girls in the past. The first few came from my hens (Rusty, mentioned above) whose laying system went crazy and ultimately took her life. The second time I saw rubber eggs, my Light Brahma pullet, Buttercup, was coming into lay and her body took awhile to sort things out. None of them are coming into lay for the first time.
I purposefully took them off layer, as I wanted them to have higher protein content, and I was concerned about the extra calcium for those taking a laying break. They have access to oyster shell (and sometimes egg shell) free choice.
A predator scare is a possibility. Inadequate calcium is a possibility if the egg is from my Speckled Sussex, Millie, who gets bullied. I just really hope there isn’t a shell gland or other laying problem. All the girls who I know for sure are laying right now (only four of nine due to molt) laid eggs with well formed shells over the weekend. I can’t monitor them as closely during the work week, but I’ll be watching as closely as possible.

 

[LunaTheSickChick]

Thanks. I have seen rubber eggs from two of my girls in the past. The first few came from my hens (Rusty, mentioned above) whose laying system went crazy and ultimately took her life. The second time I saw rubber eggs, my Light Brahma pullet, Buttercup, was coming into lay and her body took awhile to sort things out. None of them are coming into lay for the first time.
I purposefully took them off layer, as I wanted them to have higher protein content, and I was concerned about the extra calcium for those taking a laying break. They have access to oyster shell (and sometimes egg shell) free choice.
A predator scare is a possibility. Inadequate calcium is a possibility if the egg is from my Speckled Sussex, Millie, who gets bullied. I just really hope there isn’t a shell gland or other laying problem. All the girls who I know for sure are laying right now (only four of nine due to molt) laid eggs with well formed shells over the weekend. I can’t monitor them as closely during the work week, but I’ll be watching as closely as possible.

MY NAMES MILLIE! i love it

 

[ChickNanny13]

I have 4 BOs, got them at 8wks, fed fermented Flock Raiser with a side container of grit ever since. When they started showing signs of laying (squatting) I put a container of Oyster Shells. They've been laying since Oct 2017, never had a problem with their shells.

 

[Chickens rule 33]

Hi sometimes the eggs are just shellles

 

[micstrachan]

I am aware there can be the odd shell less egg. Hoping I don’t see any more. My hen who died from egg yolk peritonitis complications laid a few shell less eggs before I saw any other symptoms. Stoic little creeatures they are, and I love them dearly.