wind eggs, no eggs, soft eggs

[Msperson4]

For a while one of my girls was not laying any eggs except for several "wind eggs", now she seems to be laying mainly soft eggs. Also one morning I let them out and she fluffed herself up, had a drink and then stood away from the others refusing to eat anything - when I went out later there was an egg with no yolk, only a little white and a shell like jelly, if that can be classed as an egg.I can't be sure it was all her but that is my guess. I have 4 hens, all hybrids.

 

[HomesteadDebi]

Do you have oyster shell available to her? If you do, do you know that she is eating it?

 

[Msperson4]

I think so, I bought poultry grit when I got the chickens and it looks like soluble grit. I don't know if she uses it.

 

[Msperson4]

Should I buy pure oyster shell?

 

[HomesteadDebi]

Grit is just for digestion, to help grind up what she eats. Oyster shell is for calcium. You should have both available for her. She will eat only what she needs of each. Some people also give their hens crushed egg shell for calcium. Hope this helps!

 

[HomesteadDebi]

Oh, also...are you feeding her layer food?

 

[Msperson4]

Yes, I feed them layers pellets.

 

[Msperson4]

Does soluble grit not contain calcium? I know it's supposed to dissolve in their digestive system and give them some form of nutrition. I think it also contains oyster shell.

 

[HomesteadDebi]

Oh yes, sorry, I was thinking of regular grit.

I found this thread that may be of some help. It talks about other nutrients layers need. I never did ask if your girls were new layers.

Check this out:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/607120/soft-egg

I hope it will be of some help to you

 

[Msperson4]

I've had them for a year, bought them as point of lays.