Thin shell eggs.

[MissAli]

I have one pullet out of my 3 that are laying that keeps laying these really thin shells. I read several of the thin shellegg posts on here but I am I’m not sure that I have any answers. I thought maybe if I posted a picture someone might give me some input.


I don’t feel like it’s a feed problem. They all eat a layer crumble with freely available oysters. They get a couple handfuls of black fly larva snacks in the evening when I get home. Along with occasional snacks of fresh fruit or veggie scraps.

I don’t see any signs of illness.

Maybe it’s just a defect in her track.

When first laid they are soft. And when they dry they get crunchy. I’ve never seen one whole I always find them broken already. And not in the nest. I always find them on the ground or on top of the run (the ladies like to sit on top of the enclosed run when they are free ranging.

The darker brown eggs in the second picture are her eggs that are not soft.

Thoughts?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have one pullet out of my 3 that are laying that keeps laying these really thin shells.

When first laid they are soft. And when they dry they get crunchy. I’ve never seen one whole I always find them broken already. And not in the nest. I always find them on the ground or on top of the run

The darker brown eggs in the second picture are her eggs that are not soft.

While not all that unusual, the membrane/soft shell you are holding is White, but she lays Darker Brown Eggs.

Is she laying a normal hard shelled egg, then expelling a soft shelled egg later the same day?

It would be worth giving her 300mg Calcium Citrate+D3 once daily for a week to see if shell quality improves. Could be that she may not be absorbing calcium like she should, not eating oyster shell or some other issue. Giving the extra Calcium may help give a clue.

The hole in the shell is also interesting. Could a Bluejay or other bird be taking eggs and eating them, leaving you to find dried up shells after the fact?