Soft Shelled Egg

[mathildamother]

My Bantam Cochin X just laid a soft shelled egg, my flock is supplemented with oyster shells as well as calcium in their water. There is no signs of her being stressed, she’s eating, and acting completely normal. She is just over a year old, and has been laying for about 5 months. She had an issue laying an egg about a month ago prior to this, it was large and soft shelled (she usually lays tiny eggs). I don’t know what to do, it doesn’t make sense for her to be laying these eggs when she gets so much calcium, and she isn’t stressed, or a new layer. She isn’t a high production layer either, she lays maybe once every third day. Any ideas on what to do? I’m so worried about her, she’s very precious to me. Her best friend, a Belgian Barbu d’Uccle, will be devastated if she passes away, as will I.

 

[SueT]

If it's just once in a while that a soft egg is laid, and I'd say not to worry.

 

[alexa009]

I am pretty sure it won't happen again, I had the experience with a lot of my birds, usually it only happens once.

 

[aart]

Good shelling is just not about calcium, it's also about the other nutrients that support uptake and application of calcium in diet.

What and how exactly are you feeding?
Why calcium in the water?

 

[Bookmole353]

Does the soft shell eggs eventually harden. I have layer food for them. Also would you think they soft eggs be usable? I think the one I have is a new layer and she is “practicing”.

 

[aart]

Does the soft shell eggs eventually harden. I have layer food for them. Also would you think they soft eggs be usable? I think the one I have is a new layer and she is “practicing”.

No, they don't...what comes out is what you get.
I don't eat soft shelled eggs....and usually they eat them first anyway.
Soft or thin shelled eggs are not unusual with a new layer, her system is not tuned in yet.

 

[Bookmole353]

I have gotten 2 soft shell eggs in a row now, could it be the same chicken or a different one? We are putting straw in the nesting boxes but they shove it out as fast as I put it in. So any idea on what to use? I thought of sand but I would have to do a lot of sealing so the sand won’t go out of the nests

 

[aart]

I have gotten 2 soft shell eggs in a row now, could it be the same chicken or a different one? We are putting straw in the nesting boxes but they shove it out as fast as I put it in. So any idea on what to use? I thought of sand but I would have to do a lot of sealing so the sand won’t go out of the nests

Could be same one or different one...have had a few pullets that laid quite a few softies.
I use straw but have 4-6" high front on nests.
Pullets when first laying are rather boisterous about arranging the bedding,
they will calm that activity down after awhile.

 

[Bookmole353]

Ty, I have put in some light balls like ping pong balls, they keep kicking them out and then playing with them in the sand. I have no problem with that but I am concerned with them putting 2-3 in the corner of the coop and sitting on them, I also find eggs in their “nest” where they put the balls. Should I keep picking them up or what?

 

[aart]

Ty, I have put in some light balls like ping pong balls, they keep kicking them out and then playing with them in the sand. I have no problem with that but I am concerned with them putting 2-3 in the corner of the coop and sitting on them, I also find eggs in their “nest” where they put the balls. Should I keep picking them up or what?

Best to use something heavier for fake eggs so they stay in the nest.