Soft eggs

[BexChickies]

I know soft eggs are common to new layers. We have 2 RIRs, an Easter egger and a Blue Andalusian that are all about 24 weeks. The RIs have been laying daily for a couple of weeks and the EE started this week. The blue has been laying soft eggs randomly and sometimes 2 a day, for about a week. The others are fine. My question is, do I wait and allow her more time for her body to adjust to laying or does she need more calcium? I suppose I assumed if one needed calcium, they’d all need it and be laying soft eggs but maybe that’s not the case and she just does? Thanks!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Do you provide oyster shell? Newbies take a little while for their system to get in sync. Feed a protein rich diet with Flock Raiser or grower feed and oyster shell in a separate container. Best wishes! Enjoy those fresh eggs!

 

[aart]

I know soft eggs are common to new layers. We have 2 RIRs, an Easter egger and a Blue Andalusian that are all about 24 weeks. The RIs have been laying daily for a couple of weeks and the EE started this week. The blue has been laying soft eggs randomly and sometimes 2 a day, for about a week. The others are fine. My question is, do I wait and allow her more time for her body to adjust to laying or does she need more calcium? I suppose I assumed if one needed calcium, they’d all need it and be laying soft eggs but maybe that’s not the case and she just does? Thanks!

It's about more than just calcium, they also need other nutrients to absorb and apply that calcium.
What all and exactly how are you feeding?
Some birds may always have problems and/or take longer to the old egg machine tuned in.

 

[BexChickies]

I recently asked about a soft shell layer that I have. She started laying a couple weeks ago so my first thought was that her body was adjusting. Now she’s laying an egg every day and they are still soft shelled. I added oyster shells about 5 days ago. It’s been hot here? But the last day or 2 it’s cooled down? She doesn’t seem ill. I’m just trying to think of anything I can to troubleshoot. Not sure it matters but she’s a blue Andalusian. What’s my next step? Thanks!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What type of food/treats do you feed?
How many chickens and how much space do you have?
Have you had any illness in your flock (cold, cough, etc.)?

Sometimes it can take new layers a little while to lay "normal" eggs, but I would observe her to see if she is under any stress (being picked on/kept away from food and water). Oyster shell is good to provide extra calcium, but some birds don't eat it. If she continues to lay soft shelled eggs, then I would offer her 1/2tablet of human calcium supplement (like Caltrate) for a week to see if that makes a difference.

 

[BexChickies]

What type of food/treats do you feed?
How many chickens and how much space do you have?
Have you had any illness in your flock (cold, cough, etc.)?

Sometimes it can take new layers a little while to lay "normal" eggs, but I would observe her to see if she is under any stress (being picked on/kept away from food and water). Oyster shell is good to provide extra calcium, but some birds don't eat it. If she continues to lay soft shelled eggs, then I would offer her 1/2tablet of human calcium supplement (like Caltrate) for a week to see if that makes a difference.

We have 4 hens including her. I’d say she’s at the bottom of the pecking order but they don’t pick on her. She’s last to the food and the others are more assertive. We feed layer feed with oyster shells available. They have plenty of room; large coop, a maybe 10’ x 20’ run and time in the yard every other day or so. We give treats like greens, mealworms, egg shells (she does like those) etc also fairly regularly. I’ve noticed she gets hot easily but we’ve been cooler for days now. Still soft eggs. No noticeable illness. Maybe my next move is the tablets.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I’d say she’s at the bottom of the pecking order but they don’t pick on her. She’s last to the food and the others are more assertive.

It sounds like you have plenty of room for 4 pullets. Some breeds can be more assertive over food, even if you only have 4 chickens, 1 or 2 can dominate the feeder, treats and water.

I suggest that you add another feed and water station - put them on opposite sides of the run. For treats scatter those broadly, again...it's hard for the dominates to cover all treats and food.

I also use cheap dollar store bowls for treats like scrambled/hard boiled egg - they come 4 for $1 I think you see where I'm going with this...I divide up the eggs and place the bowls in separate areas - you may have a dominate run to one bowl, but it gives the others a chance to go to the others. My most dominate, well...she just picks one bowl and keeps it LOL I expect this so usually use anywhere from 4-6 bowls for treats.

Take time to observe all of your girls - each flock/group of chickens is going to be slightly different - yours will act a little different than mine, but if you watch them, then you can start tweaking things and bring some behaviors under control.

For your Blue girl - she may be stressed. Stress can definitely cause soft shell eggs, she also may not be getting enough to eat/drink. You can try adjusting the eating situation to see if that helps and if there is no improvement give her the calcium for a week to see if that makes a difference.