Soft Egg Question

[NHchickenflock]

I'm sure this has been asked before but we are new to this.
We picked up 4 one year old laying hens last night from a friend, they were laying good solid eggs.
I went in the coop this AM and one of my leghorns laid a soft egg from the roost.
Three questions:
Any ideas why the egg would suddenly be soft?
What can I do to get them to lay in the nesting box?
Also, my boxes are 12"x12" square, is that adequate?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[mortie]

1. Stress. Be patient.
2. The egg from the roost took her by surprise. I bet when they lay normally they will layin the nest. You can bait it with fake eggs if you like but I bet they would do it on their own too.
3. Yes.

Do be sure they are getting enough calcium by feeding layer feed and/or offering oyster shell on the side they can munch on when they need it.
Keep us updated!

 

[ChickenKid11]

1. Stress. Be patient.
2. The egg from the roost took her by surprise. I bet when they lay normally they will layin the nest. You can bait it with fake eggs if you like but I bet they would do it on their own too.
3. Yes.

Do be sure they are getting enough calcium by feeding layer feed and/or offering oyster shell on the side they can munch on when they need it.
Keep us updated!

X2.
Too bait the nests I always use old golf balls they seem to work just as well as fake eggs.

 

[mortie]

I meant fake eggs as in anything that resembles an egg without actually being a real egg. I also use golf balls.