Soft Shell Eggs

[ginmaxboise]

We have a Rhode Island Red that is about 2 years old. For the past 6 weeks she has been laying very soft shell eggs that crack open in the nesting box. We have 3 other hens that are laying fine. They all eat the same things and are all given oyster shell as well as feeding them crushed egge shells.

Does anyone have any suggestions? We thought this would clear up but there seems no end in sight.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Just like people all hens are different. If it has been 6 weeks, I'd take her out of the lineup as far as a layer. Then you have a couple choices. Rehome her as a pet, or chicken dinner. It could be age, or just that particular hen. If she is not serving the intended purpose, and you cull...it sounds like it may be time for her to go. Sorry.

 

[ginmaxboise]

Thanks for the input. That is what we thought too but just wanted some confirmation

 

[sotelomary]

I have a smiliar situation. My glw has been laying soft eggs for 4 months! I seriously need to decide what I'm going to do. I just keep thinking that she will out grow this.

Mary

 

[Bantimna]

Quote:

 

[Elite Silkies]

I would offer her more calcium first and see if that helps. You can scramble eggs with the shells and feed that to her.

 

[feathersnuggles]

I've got a 1 year old hen who has been laying soft shelled eggs, on again & off again, since mid-March this year (previous to that time, she laid all good eggs). In between soft-shell episodes, she's either laying calcium-bead deposited, warty eggshells or she's laying perfectly-smooth eggshells. None of the rest of the flock is having any shell problems.

Could it be a shell gland maintenance issue? They get a high-quality layer feed, plus free choice oyster shell, plus lots of time free-ranging.