Whats this? never saw one before.

[Sissy]

one of my young hens layed her first egg
and it was as soft as a sponge needless to say I took
and tossed it.
I give then all chix starter and grits I buy at the farm supply.
any answers anyone ? thanks

 

[TXmom]

Sounds like it's time to put them on Layer crumbles instead of Starter and also provide them with crushed Oyster shell to give them the calcium they need to build strong shells. If that was her first egg, sometimes they can come out a little wierd...next one will probably be much better.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Yeah, they need some more calcium. That soft egg could result from a deficiency.

 

[deidreschultz]

I just got my first on friday, and it was way soft. I'm changing to layer feed, but doing it gradually. I also put oyster shell out for them that day. We got another egg on Sunday, and it was like a normal egg. It didn't take long for that xtra calcium to take affect. We're getting an egg a day.

 

[Sissy]

Hummmm thanks..
.I will up the calicum
but they have been on Purina layena feed. and chix starter
for the first 3 months.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

You only feed them Grower/Starter until they start laying. NEVER feed them layer feed before hand. Their bodies can't use that extra calcium yet and can cause problems with their kidneys. Once they start laying they won't need the chick starter anymore. By then, they should have most of their growing done.

 

[speckledhen]

You said they've been on Layena for three months with the starter? They were already getting too much calcium, if I understood you correctly. First eggs are often odd anyway, so it may have nothing to do with calcium. Had one pullet to lay just the egg contents on the ground, no membrane or shell.

 

[Sissy]

What I meant to say my chix were on chix starter Dumor
the first 3 months of life with grit,then I put them on Purina layena.
And this morning I have a good solid egg.

 

[lalaland]

I have to agree with Speckled Hen - it is totally normal for the first egg(s) to have soft shells, no shells, perfect shells, funny shaped shells, etc - Some hens start out with perfect eggs, most start out with a couple of strange ones regarding size and shell and then settle in.

Also typical to start out small and gradually move up to whatever will be normal for that hen.

I wouldn't worry about calcium unless I had a layer that had been laying great eggs and then started having thinner shells.

 

[Namble]

Cool!