Someone is eating the egg shells

[LorenMcHugh]

For the past couple days I've noticed that my one hens shells have been a little week. I put oyster shells out cause my babies are still on starter feed. Now today I found just a yolk and whites in nesting box...no shell anywhere. I have never had a problem with my hens eating shells/eggs before. I've lately been finding squirrels in my coop feasting on their feed too. Are the squirrels eating the egg shells or us my hen to blame. Help

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Was it just one eggs worth of yolk/white? It is entirely possible that someone laid a shell-less egg.

 

[LorenMcHugh]

Is it possible for them to lay a shell less egg? I'm not sure but for the past couple days her eggs have been weak or have been opened...spilling all over the nesting box. I found one outside the coop last week that was weak and weird looking and the babies were gobbling it up. I usually take the eggs out as soon as they lay. Could the babies have a taste for eggs now? They are about 3 months now

 

[tantricdragon13]

My understanding is that new layers can lay shell-less eggs. I've personally never experienced it. For some reason, that just sounds weird and creepy to me!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The way the reproductive tract works, yes, it is entirely possible for a shell-less egg to be laid. The shell is the last part of the "assembly line" and if it goes on the fritz the egg passes on through w/out getting it's shell. Since you have already been seeing a change in the quality of her shells, I would say that only strengthens the likelihood that it was laid that way vs. being eaten. What are you currently feeding and do you provide supplemental calcium via oyster shell, etc?

 

[LorenMcHugh]

I have all of my chickens eating starter/grower because 6 on my 8 are only about 12 weeks old. I do have oyster shells out for my older girls. How long will this last? Her diet is pretty balanced. They free range and eat a lot of table food...grapes, meat, sunflower seeds, corn on the cob, etc