Soft Eggs Even with Oyster Shells??

[wbruder17]

Hello. I have a Bantam Cochin girl who has laid 2 eggs so far. The first was fine. The second was smashed in the coop and the shell was very pliable. All of the chickens have plenty of oyster shell available. For feed, they also get: layer pellets, a 4-grain "treat" and all of the scraps and greenery from my garden and compost. What's the problem and how do I strengthen her eggs?

 

[tuesdays chicks]

Don't start panicking for at least a week. She is a new layer her body needs to adjust not all get it right the 1st week

 

[Opa]

It's not uncommon for new layers to lay soft shelled eggs. Keep oyster shell available and it will straighten out.

 

[Chickendummy]

Hi, I'm new to keeping chickens myself. Much to my surprise they do lay soft-shelled eggs. Mine even layed one with no shell, which really worried me. I have 4NH reds. I just guessed that the soft shells had something to do with their physical maturity. Give them time and their little systems will right themselves. I'm not a vet, this is just my own supposition.

I have a photo on my BYC page of one of the soft shelled eggs. Sounds like you're feeding exactly what I feed mine. I have heard that too much oyster shell is bad for their bones.

All the best,

CD.

 

[Opa]

Once chickens reach about 16 weeks of age it is adviseable to keep oyster shell available for them to eat as they want. They will not consume more than they need.

 

[silkiechicken]

Give them time to mature and to figure out what oyster shell is. They'll eat it when they need the calcium.