Soft shelled eggs :-( Suggestions please

[Princess_Layer]

I just wondered what we can do to stop getting soft shelled eggs. We've had 2 in the last few days. Today's one was out in the run (in their sandbox). The first one was underneath the perches. At first I thought they'd eaten it but I don't think that now after today.

2 of my chicken are laying most days and they are fine but one of my chucks hasn't laid a 'proper' egg yet.

She broke her beak a few weeks ago and the tip of it it came off, its only the last couple of mm and I've checked she's able to eat and drink which she can fine. They all have access to layer pellets, oyster shell and water all day. For treats we've given them corn, mealworms, porridge and some mashed veg over the last week or 2.

What can I do to help her. I think she was shocked when she broke her beak, which is why she's a couple of weeks behind the other 2, but I want a hattrick of eggs so I know she's ok.

Oh yeh the feathers around her vent look a little bit matted. We have bathed her but its back again. We did check her last weekend to see if there was a problem down there, but it all seemed to be ok. The other 2 have fluffy backends and I wondered if its more obvious on her because she's a white chicken.

Who'd have thought they'd be such a worry. I worry so much about them all.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

X

 

[teach1rusl]

So you have observed her eating a decent amount...no problems there??? And they have plenty of oyster shell available?
Then I would totally eliminate any treats/scrap extras for a week or two, so that she is forced to fill up on the basic nutrients in her feed. When I had this issue, the exception I did make was mixing up some finely crushed egg shells into a little plain yogurt for them each day. Either that or coincidence cleared everything up. And I'd had shelless, jello eggs, and paper thin shells.

 

[mamaKate]

Hi! Sorry about your troubles. It sounds like you're doing everything right. The only possibilities I can come up with would be parasites or too many treats. Could they be eating enough treats to unbalance their diet?

 

[NonnasBabies]

When I had this going on it was pretty much just new layers systems getting right!! If your feeding them correctly (layer feed, free choice oyster shell, etc.) and their new layers give them a few days and see how things go!!

Missi

 

[Princess_Layer]

Thanks for answering.

The day we got them they were all treated with drops from the vets so they should be clear of any nasties until beginning of May. We handle them most days and I do check behind their neck feathers to make sure there isn't anything. We have cleaned their coop with the stuff and also we move the run once every couple of week so they have fresh grass.

Normally we give them their treats at about 5pm so they don't have anything other than their layer pellets during the day. They have access to food and water and also oyster shell all day which is n an upturned brick.

I have watched how she eats/drinks and she seems to be fine. Literally it is the top end and only a mm or 2, It did look worse when it was cracked but last weekend it came off and looks ok. This pic was taken last Friday.

Should I stop completely with the treats for a couple of days, and if I do that should I substitute with anything else to help.

I know she's the youngest of them all by a week or so, so she was always going to lay later than the other 2, but we've had them 4 weeks now and no egg from her yet.

Thanks in advance.