Soft Egg Issue

[slabcrappy]

I need some help/advise. It seems as though lately I am getting almost one soft egg a day from my hens (6 layers). Sometimes two. Here is how I raise them:

• free range all day
• Layena pellets
• Oyster Shell (They do not touch)
• ACV in water (1 TBSP per gallon)
• Produce treats once a week (i.e. corn on the cob, eggplant, apples, pears, avacado, bananas, romaine, etc. I work for a homeless shelter)
• Scratch grains on occasion (once or twice a month)

These softies are on the ground under the roost. They eat them immediately upon coming down from the roost in the morning. They never touch the good eggs, Praise the Lord. It definitely has been more frequent the last couple of weeks. They are 1 year and 2 months old and this is the first time it has happened in this frequency. Yesterday I only got 2 good eggs, and the remnants of 2 softies and I average 4 or 5 eggs a day normally. They even laid 3-4 in the winter in Buffalo! Anybody have an idea what might be going on here? Thank you.

Sal

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

I know I got softies when the hens didn't have any water for a couple hours while I was gone. Could it be that they forage far and forget how to access their water? There could be other things, but the only times I have got softies are respiratory diseases (also mis-shaping eggs) ran out of water for a few hours, and no oyster shell.

Hope someone else could have a different explanation.

 

[TonySorrento]

Sal ... following this in case it ever happens to me ... but I have a one gallon waterer you can put back where they forage if ya need it ...

 

[slabcrappy]

I live in a subdivision and my property in the back yard fully fenced in is 1/4 acre. They have 2 waterers, 1 in the coop and 1 in the yard. They seem to use the yard one a lot more frequently, but they always have water. the yard one has only went dry 2 times in the last year. They have an oyster shell hopper in the coop within 5 feet of the feeder.

Respiratory disease is possible, but I see no symptoms. They appear to me (newbie) to be in perfect health. anybody else???

 

[tyrang]

Igot some soft eggs this week also and i am wondering is it something to do with the weather, as we have had a lot of rain and the temperature has fallen by a few degrees so it is cold,i too have oyster shell and give them treats such as cat food and an aray of fresh veg and fruit
i am new to raising hens so i would be very grateful for any advice

 

[slabcrappy]

Igot some soft eggs this week also and i am wondering is it something to do with the weather, as we have had a lot of rain and the temperature has fallen by a few degrees so it is cold,i too have oyster shell and give them treats such as cat food and an aray of fresh veg and fruit
i am new to raising hens so i would be very grateful for any advice

Sounds like we are in the same boat! It was unseasonably cold here in Western New York the past week, but I thought daylight was big egg "trigger". However, I could be wrong and the weather could have everything to do with this issue? Am I not getting very many resposes because I am not posting this in the health section??

Sal

 

[TonySorrento]

Sal and Ty ... I asked the question in the Old Timers thread ... Beekissed said low calcium


And CelticChick said,
" I had the exact same problem with some of my year olds  a while back. Turned out, it was my feed. Purina Layena has calcium levels that are too low so I mixed the oyster shell right into their feed. Cleared it right up. Then I switched to a better feed & didn't have to worry about it anymore. Good luck."

 

[tyrang]

well all is well today good solid eggs . and the temp, has risen around here as i said i have oystershell in coup at all times so i am still thinking the weather .
anyone else noticed this ?
thanks

 

[Fred's Hens]

Chickens, like us, take in Vitamin D from the sun's rays and this is what is needed in the processing of calcium. Weather becomes somewhat important in that chicken's need sunshine.

 

[slabcrappy]

I wanted to give an update to anyone that may have read my post from a few weeks ago. Well, I limited the produce and changed their food from Purina Layena to a local grain mill and I have not gotten a soft eggs since. The 6 girls are back up to 4-6 eggs per day and they are all normal! Very happy and one again, thank you all for your advise and guidance.

Sal