Shell less eggs

[Mrs.Megan]

I have 4 pullets 29 weeks old, 2 of which are laying and 2 that have not started. Over the past 2 weeks i have found 6 shell less eggs under their roost and I have no idea who the culprit is. I think it is either my RIR who is not laying or my Easter egger that is a frequent layer of double yolk eggs. But my question is wether anyone has an idea of who it could be and what is causing it? I bought them a new oyster shell last week that they seem to like a lot more. and they are on layer feed. I don't give them treats often, may be a banana or tuna every few days... I'm new to chicken keeping so any advice would be welcome!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

New layers often will lay strange eggs until their systems become regulated. Keep offering oyster shell to be sure they are getting enough calcium for strong egg shells.
Do you have a picture of the shell-less eggs?

 

[Killer Tomato]

My new layers do this all the time, and I'm really strict about high quality feed, and limiting treats. Their systems should settle in, and get better in a few weeks.

But..... I do have a RIR who is almost 2 years old, and she is my thin-shelled layer. Her best eggs will break in my hand at the slightest jostle -- her worst are like wet toilet paper. I've tried changing foods (the Purina challenge), no treats, egg shells AND oyster shells, yogurt. Nothing has worked for her (on a positive note, the other hens lay eggs that are like ROCKS they are so hard now!). I also find that I dislike the flavor of her eggs -- they taste 'fishy' to me. Huh?

It is very messy on the days that she lays. I'm hoping she molts soon, as cleaning the nest boxes every other day is getting old. We don't cull our chickens, so this is something we just work with.

 

[Mrs.Megan]

I just took some pictures of the recent shell less egg (unfortunately it broke) and I have one from last week too. I took a few pictures of my RIR too so you could see her comb.
Thanks for your advice chick n fun and killer tomato. I don’t think I could cull for bad laying either, although I am limited on the number of chickens I can have so... hopefully who ever it is gets their act together!

 

[Killer Tomato]

She looks just like mine! If they are new layers, they will probably get better shells.

When I have run out of chicken feed, and the feed stores have run out as well (I live in a small town, and all three stores ran out on the same day!), I had to feed the ladies scraps for 12 hours -- my eggs 4 days later were just CRAP -- literally everyone had weak shells, or didn't lay for days. I really notice how good nutrition makes a big difference, though many people swear by the "kitchen and garden scrap" method of feeding chickens, I do not. It's their flock, they can do what they want.

As far as the numbers of chickens allowed -- yeah, I'm pretty far outside the "legal" limits. They didn't pass the chicken ordinance in my town until long after I had my chickens, so I justify that my birds are grandfathered in.

When the urge for baby chicks hits, you'll be a law breaker yourself. Trust me!