Soft Shelled Eggs for Weeks

[FettuccineAlfredo]

I've got two birds who are only laying soft shelled eggs for weeks now. They are free range, get plenty of treats, have access to oyster shells, and are on layer feed.

So my questions are...

Is it just calcium deficiency? If so what more can I feed them?

Can heat be the cause? Its been in the hundreds, but they get cold watermelon and stay in the shade.

Could it be stress? We have slowly been introducing them to our younger chicks, but they seem to get along good.

Could they be molting? I havent noticed an unusual amount of feathers but I did see a couple coming off one chicken yesterday.

Thanks so much! I'm running out of ideas to get them laying normally.

 

[cleoandtheflock]

Here is the different causes of soft shelled eggs but I don’t know much else hope this helps


- Immature shell gland;

- Nutritional deficiencies, usually lack of calcium, vitamins E, B12 and D as well as phosphorous and selenium

- Disease such as infectious bronchitis, avian influenza, egg drop syndrome; an internal or external parasite infestation

- Exposure to very high temperatures and/or very high or low humidity levels

- Egg laid prematurely due to stress or a disturbance during the calcification process

- Egg laying while molting

 

[aart]

How old are they?
Cut out all the treats.
Layer should be only food.

To beat the heat
I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves. It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
I usually mix a half gallon for 15-20 birds, wrap remaining powder tight and store in a dry cool place.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.

Make space in your freezer.

 

[FettuccineAlfredo]

How old are they?
Cut out all the treats.
Layer should be only food.

To beat the heat
I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves. It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
I usually mix a half gallon for 15-20 birds, wrap remaining powder tight and store in a dry cool place.
View attachment 1806500

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.

Make space in your freezer.

Okay so I'll order some of the Sav-a-chick. For now I do have some other electrolyte. And I'll get a kitty pool too, I love the idea of putting it in a freezer. Thanks!

 

[FettuccineAlfredo]

Here is the different causes of soft shelled eggs but I don’t know much else hope this helps


- Immature shell gland;

- Nutritional deficiencies, usually lack of calcium, vitamins E, B12 and D as well as phosphorous and selenium

- Disease such as infectious bronchitis, avian influenza, egg drop syndrome; an internal or external parasite infestation

- Exposure to very high temperatures and/or very high or low humidity levels

- Egg laid prematurely due to stress or a disturbance during the calcification process

- Egg laying while molting

Thanks! I'm thinking the heat could be the cause.

 

[aart]

I'll get a kitty pool too, I love the idea of putting it in a freezer.

Um you don't put the kiddie pool in the freezer
you make a big ice chunk in the freezer(look at the measurements above),
and put it the ice chunk the pool in the run.

 

[FettuccineAlfredo]

Um you don't put the kiddie pool in the freezer
you make a big ice chunk in the freezer(look at the measurements above),
and put it the ice chunk the pool in the run.

Oh lol! I have no clue how I missed that.

 

[ChickieNugget]

Here is the different causes of soft shelled eggs but I don’t know much else hope this helps


- Immature shell gland;

- Nutritional deficiencies, usually lack of calcium, vitamins E, B12 and D as well as phosphorous and selenium

- Disease such as infectious bronchitis, avian influenza, egg drop syndrome; an internal or external parasite infestation

- Exposure to very high temperatures and/or very high or low humidity levels

- Egg laid prematurely due to stress or a disturbance during the calcification process

- Egg laying while molting

*****
I've been dealing with the same thing recently and wondering if it could be from are crazy temp changes. 81 degrees one day and then snow and 13 degrees the next day. Could that kind of stress cause it soft shells and misshapen/odd colored eggs?