Soft shell? What's happening

[Boofychuck]

Hi, I'm a new keeper and have 3 hens. My light Sussex appears to be laying nicely and consistently producing one egg a day. My red hen (not entirely sure of breed) hasn't laid until today but the shell was very soft. They are free range roaming in garden, access to water, pellets given corn and treats in afternoon and are provided with grit and shell. Is this normal behaviour and possibly because she is just at POL?. Many thanks Becky

 

[silkymom1986]

That's pretty normal if it's her first egg, I wouldn't worry about it unless her eggs stay like that. One of my hens first eggs was like that, very soft, but after that they were normal. Good luck!

 

[Boofychuck]

Yes it's jossies first egg phew. Thank u for putting my mind at rest.

 

[Boofychuck]

Ok Jossies done her soft egg im in week 4 with her and still no eggs. My light sussex is still laying in the morning pretty consistent one a day and my other columbian black tail is laying in the afternoon. Jossies, still producing nothing other than a cheeky attitude, popping into the kitchen this afternoon ha ha bless her. Are there cases that some hens just don't lay or should nature take its course eventually and she will produce eggs? I'm at a loss with what to do for her. She looks happy enough eats and drinks well etc. x

 

[silkymom1986]

She should start producing, a lot of my hens don't lay for a month after laying there first egg. If she is acting fine I wouldn't worry, if she starts acting like something is bothering her you might want to make sure she isn't egg bound. Good luck.