We have eggs...but they're soft

[redheadedchicky]

We are raising chickens for the first time. We have 2 red sexlinks and 2 olive eggers. The 2 red sexlinks have been very noisy and squatting in front of me so I have been on egg watch! Yesterday morning I found 2 brown soft shell eggs right next to each other, one was deflated looking and one with a yolk in it and the other looked formed but fell apart as soon as I picked it up. That on had 2 yolks in it. They were laid in the coop and not the nesting box. This morning I found 2 more on the ledge just before the coop entryway...another deflated one with just a yolk, the other looked formed and I was able to pick it up and bring it inside but was still really soft. I switched their food yesterday to layer feed, and was going to pick them up some oyster shell today.

I have a few questions...

How long should I expect to see some harder shells? I understand it's normal for some soft ones but want to make sure it's ok to see it 2 days in a row.

Am I correct in assuming that the 2 soft eggs are coming from one chicken since they are right next to each other in odd spots other than the nest box both days in a row.

Will they eventually learn to go in the nesting box?

I am assuming thin shelled eggs should not be eaten...is this true?

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

How long should I expect to see some harder shells? I understand it's normal for some soft ones but want to make sure it's ok to see it 2 days in a row

Soft shells are unavoidable if they just start laying. Id supply oyster shell but sometimes their bodies just need to adjust. Theres really no telling how long it will last. Well that i know of anyways. Maybe someone else knows more.

Am I correct in assuming that the 2 soft eggs are coming from one chicken since they are right next to each other in odd spots other than the nest box both days in a row.

*Usually* its one egg per chick every 26 hours. Ive heard of some pullets laying two. Id do a butt check.

Will they eventually learn to go in the nesting box?

Maybe. Putting golf balls or fake eggs in there will help but you cant guarantee they will go in the box everytime. You have to check everywhere.

 

[townchicks]

I would not eat them, it is the shell that forms a barrier to bacteria, actually the bloom on the shell, but no shell, no bloom. Get them some calcium asap, maybe offer some tums crushed in a treat like apple sauce or yogurt. You have done the right thing switching to layer feed, and get that oyster shell out there. Thin shelled eggs are often laid in odd spots, they will likely learn to use the nest box. Put some fake eggs or golf balls in the nest box to encourage them.Congrats on your first eggs, soon you'll get good ones.

 

[redheadedchicky]

Thanks! I assumed the eggs were no good since there was no barrier from bacteria. My daughter was super excited to bring it in and break it open in the sink though. It’s the little things in life haha! I have been giving them crushed eggshells for the past week, but I’m not sure if they were eating it or just making a mess of them. Good idea to mix them into a treat! Thanks!

 

[Bonniebooboo]

I just had a first time pullet lay 2 small thin shelled eggs yesterday. both were cracked. I have had her locked up by herself for 3 days. wanted to see if she was laying green or tan egg, or laying at all yet. She lays tan. No other chicken with her. she laid one on the cage floor and one in the nest box. I checked her multiple times a day and no eggs and then between 4 and 6 pm she laid these two small eggs. I may have stressed her just enough locking her up it affected her laying. She is now back with the others and will see if I get good egg or thin shell there. They are on grower with calcium on the side, since they just started laying about 2-3 weeks ago and more are coming of age.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

If soft shelled eggs were dangerous, then I certainly would be pushing up daisies for at least the last 60 or so years.

This is the reason that God made coffee cups. That reason is so you can break your eggs out into a cup one at a time and examine it up close before adding that egg to whatever it is that you're making.

 

[redheadedchicky]

I was thinking it probably would be fine especially if I collected it right away. I know there were no eggs last night when I put them away and there it was waiting for me in the AM when I let them out. Our temps are in the mid 50’s at night here so I’m sure it was fine to eat but didn’t want to risk it.

 

[aart]

Soft shells are unavoidable if they just start laying

They are not unavoidable, have plenty of pullets that have never lad a softie...
....but they are common, especially with high production layers.
It can take up to a month or so for things to smooth out.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

They are not unavoidable, have plenty of pullets that have never lad a softie...
....but they are common, especially with high production layers.
It can take up to a month or so for things to smooth out.

Apples and oranges