Soft eggs

[hamilton]

Question....

First time chicken owner here....I have 2 silkies, 2 barred rocks and 2 polish. They are just about 5 months old, and yesterday I got my 1st eggs

So question....One egg that was laid this morning, had a very very soft shell. I compare it to the likes of a water balloon.....Is this common?? Do I need to do anything, such as add something to their diet? Is it because they are new layers this is happening, and future eggs will be normal???

Also, one egg yesterday and today looked like it had been picked at by the chickens....Like they were starting to eat them....How do I prevent this???? I would imagine that the sooner I can pull the eggs from the coop the better....but I cannot go out and check the coop every couple of hours.....

Thanks!!!
Shannon
New Hampshire

 

[3goodeggs]

yes, add oyster shell they will take it as they need it. Yes, it is common. They have to get the machinery going and they are getting the kinks out. and yes, it can happen after a scare, a change, or even out of the blue. It is not that common, but it happens.
Good luck with the girls!

do a byc search on roll out egg boxes. I think opa made some super ones.
Chickens love eggs and get a taste for them .

 

[Chris09]

Most people on here will immediately think Oyster shell but it could be a dietary deficiency. Chickens need grit to grind their food down and calcium to form their egg shells, they also need the right amount of protein in their diet as well as minerals and various vitamins.

Vitamin D3 is used for the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus to be able to form egg shells.

Are you feeding a lot of treats (scraps and scratch)?
If so you may want to try cutting them back.


Chris

 

[hamilton]

For food they are getting Blue Seal Layer pellets.....I do feed them treats, but I am not sure what folks consider "a lot"

For the 6 chickens, they usually get one or two types of treats a day.....Such as 1 ear of corn, 1 cup of cooked pasta, cup of applesauce, cup of yogurt, veggies (zucchini, tomatoe, etc).....

 

[CCFarms9559]

I had one soft egg when mine first started laying (about 2 weeks ago). Haven't had another one since. I just assumed they were still getting the kinks sorted out.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

There is a thread on here somewhere about how feeding BOSS will cut down on egg eating. The theory is that the Omega 3 in the BOSS will satisfy them and they won't go looking for it in the eggs.