Soft shelled eggs

[Maroi]

My 18 months old chicken is laying soft shelled eggs. It is the third day in a row although these last weeks I was noticing that the egg shell was becoming quite thin. She and the other hens seem healthy. I give them one cup layer feed each daily and kitchen scraps like banana, apple, potato, broccoli, cauliflour etc. They free range and have enough grit and sunlight. They also have a seperate container with crushed eggshells in their coop. What am I doing wrong? Maybe she needs probiotics or something else? Or is it some disease? Please advise. Thank you for your help

 

[leia_and_friends]

Often young layers will lay soft shelled eggs - mine have done quite a few. Maybe try hand feeding the eggshells to her; I've noticed mine'll take it more readily at night when they're roosting... I think it's because that's when they're forming the eggshell, so they need more calcium. Hope this helps!

 

[Callender Girl]

It sounds like you are doing all the right things. I always panic when my girls do anything out of the "normal."

 

[Maroi]

Thanks for your reply - I will try to handfeed but neither of the hens seem interested in the crushed shells. I am afraid there is more to it. The five other hens do not have this problem and they eat the same diet. Thanks again

 

[aart]

My 18 months old chicken is laying soft shelled eggs. It is the third day in a row although these last weeks I was noticing that the egg shell was becoming quite thin. She and the other hens seem healthy. I give them one cup layer feed each daily and kitchen scraps like banana, apple, potato, broccoli, cauliflour etc. They free range and have enough grit and sunlight. They also have a seperate container with crushed eggshells in their coop. What am I doing wrong? Maybe she needs probiotics or something else? Or is it some disease? Please advise. Thank you for your help

They should have access to the layer feed every hour they are awake.
Cut out all the scraps...except a bit once a week.

At 18 months old she may be ramping down laying for molt and winter break,
if you live in the northern hemisphere.
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Maroi]

They should have access to the layer feed every hour they are awake.
Cut out all the scraps...except a bit once a week.

At 18 months old she may be ramping down laying for molt and winter break,
if you live in the northern hemisphere.
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2425825

 

[Maroi]

I live in Malta - Europe

 

[Maroi]

It's autumn and the temperature is still quite mild - around 20 degrees celsius. Malta is an island situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.
Has anyone tried feeding the hens fermented feed? Thanks for your replies.

 

[aart]

It's autumn and the temperature is still quite mild

Not about temps, but length of day.
Days are still shortening......so I'd say molting is imminent.

 

[Sycamore Hill Chicks]

Maybe cut down on the scraps.