Soft shell eggs

[Yardbird281]

.Hey guys i have 1 hen who recently laying soft eggs. She is the only one out of 12 who is doing this. She was laying fine since the beggining of spring . I should note that she did this right before she stopped laying for the winter , but since spring i thought she was over it. She is about 1 year old, and i have been throwing don oyster shells. Anyone have any experience with this? She also recieves organic layer pellet which is always avalible.

 

[sunflour]

HI, Yardbird281

I don't have the answer, but would suspect if only one is laying soft shells she may not be eating or absorbing adequate Calcium. Another possibility is genetic issue just starting to express.

I think you will get more input posting this question under Egg Laying forum.

If you search the forums there are a number of threads with the same problem, and you may find your answer in one of those.

Good luck, hope this is correctable.

 

[justplainbatty]

HI, Yardbird281

I don't have the answer, but would suspect if only one is laying soft shells she may not be eating or absorbing adequate Calcium. Another possibility is genetic issue just starting to express.

I think you will get more input posting this question under Egg Laying forum.

If you search the forums there are a number of threads with the same problem, and you may find your answer in one of those.

Good luck, hope this is correctable.

Agreed. And, you can also separately, give her supplemental calcium by way of her water.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

Sunflour has given you good information. Sometimes chickens are just not up to par in the laying department.

 

[mymilliefleur]

Hello and Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined! Once in a while I have a hen that lays thin shelled eggs, but after a while the problem goes away.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

I have a hen that is very sensitive to not getting enough layer feed. So if she gets too many treats and not enough layer feed, she lays softies, thin shelled and even plain yolks. So make sure you really limit the goodies, especially during the shorter days of the year when they have less time to eat their layer feed.

You can give a hen human calcium. I have used Caltrate on this particular hen. I broke the pill in half and then broke this half in half and put the pieces in raisins. So a half a pill a day. This did wonders for this hen.

Good luck with your hen and welcome to our flock!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[Yardbird281]

Thanks for the information guys! Since sprince arrived they have been free ranging a lot since the snow is gone......she may be out eating bugs and not eating enough layer pellets .... I will keep an eye on her