Hi all, we have adopted a solo young hen from a friend of a friend who didn't want her to be alone after her other hens had an unfortunate accident. We have been lucky and she has clicked well with our two girls from the beginning. Which is amazing!
However, we are a couple weeks in now and for the third time have been stumped by two of her eggs turning up in the morning. We are both sure at this point that there hasn't been an egg hiding in the coop the night before & we know they are her eggs because she has blue/green egg shells.
A quick Google told us this is possible with younger hens but the concern that motivates posting here is the shells of the eggs. One of the eggs will have a relatively normal shell, slightly thinner than our other girls, with a soft spot on one side where it was sitting (often on the ground, I think these are the second egg and possibly a surprise to her too?) and the other egg is often VERY soft shelled and 2 of 3 times the membrane has been exposed because the shell has been so soft and has cracked peeled away.
Are these shells characteristic of when a hen lays two in a day? (Two eggs trying to share the calcium meant for one egg)
Or
If it is definitely diet related, how long should it take for the calcium she is getting from her diet with us to kick in an improve her egg shells?
Concerned that she will end up having one break inside or become bound.
Photo because why not
However, we are a couple weeks in now and for the third time have been stumped by two of her eggs turning up in the morning. We are both sure at this point that there hasn't been an egg hiding in the coop the night before & we know they are her eggs because she has blue/green egg shells.
A quick Google told us this is possible with younger hens but the concern that motivates posting here is the shells of the eggs. One of the eggs will have a relatively normal shell, slightly thinner than our other girls, with a soft spot on one side where it was sitting (often on the ground, I think these are the second egg and possibly a surprise to her too?) and the other egg is often VERY soft shelled and 2 of 3 times the membrane has been exposed because the shell has been so soft and has cracked peeled away.
Are these shells characteristic of when a hen lays two in a day? (Two eggs trying to share the calcium meant for one egg)
Or
If it is definitely diet related, how long should it take for the calcium she is getting from her diet with us to kick in an improve her egg shells?
Concerned that she will end up having one break inside or become bound.
Photo because why not

