soft shelled eggs

[sparky134]

Today I had 3 hens lay soft shelled eggs on the poop shelves. Some are molting and I had a fecal test done and came back negative. They have slowly reduced laying. 10 hens went from 9 to 6 to 2 eggs a day. I was feeding just straight layena but after doing some reading I switched to just flockraiser for the protien and I was getting only one soft shelled egg so yesturday went back to the layena and here I get 3 soft shelled eggs. I hope its just the molt that is putting them under stress they did have lice over the winter which I dusted numerous times for and still check, I don't see any lice just eggs still on the feather shafts I'm assuming those are dead eggs and won't go away until the feather is replaced with a new one?? Is this correct?? Any sugggestions on the soft egg problem??

 

[teach1rusl]

I do think the stress of a molt (about any stress really) can mess up the eggs, and or cause a big reduction in eggs. Just integrating a rooster into my small flock caused egg production to decrease. For the soft shelled eggs, although you're using a layer feed, still offer oyster shell free choice in a separate bowl. You can also crush up egg shells, and mix that in with scraps or yogurt (more calcium) for a week or two. Any foods that are high in calcium would be good.
But I do think molting or some seasonal change stress is going on, because I've seen a LOT of posts about egg production falling off recently.

 

[sparky134]

I always have oyster shell out in a large trough I made. I recently rehomed my rooster about 6 weeks ago due to the feather damage he was doing to the hens and with even all the stress he might have caused I was still getting anywhere from 6-9 eggs a day.(no softees) Now he's gone, feathers are growing in and egg production is down..It is very frustrating because I try very hard to have a healthy flock, I clean the poop shelve every morning and they free range in a fenced area that is about 100'x60' and I even pick up the poop out there 2-3 times a day and I am always having isssues with my flock (worms, cocci, now this).

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
Well THAT may be the key in your case then...feather growth takes a lot of protein. So your egg production may be down because their nutrients are going into some serious feather growing energy (basically the same as a molt).
I'm sorry you're having so many issues. Maybe this spring/summer after they've all got their feathers back and things are back on track, things will go better for a change.

 

[sparky134]

Thank you for your kind words..