soft shell eggs during molt?

[Buffbrahmabantam]

All, can anyone tell me how normal it is for a 2 year old hen to be laying soft shell eggs during molt? I'm a little worried because some of this hen's eggs this summer had slightly thin shells. She's laying these soft shell eggs at night on the roost. She does this about once every 14 days. She has a hard molt going on right now. This is a buff orpington who is the lead hen (i.e. top of the pecking order).

We feed them layer feed and their diet hasn't changed, except what they eat around the yard may have changed just because it is fall and there are different bugs around. They have access to oyster shell too. If she does have a problem with low calcium, I don't know what else to do. Could there be some other nutrient imbalance?

Thanks for any advice, or if you can point me to past forums on this topic.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Could be she's trying to shut down for the season. Eggs with no shells is generally from stress of some sort. If they are dropping them at night it may be she's choosing to push them out early.

I recommend switching to a higher protein ration if she's molting. It will help her get through it, and rebuild her reserves.

 

[aart]

She has a hard molt going on right now.

I'm surprised she laying at all...are you using supplemental lighting?