Yolk in the nesting box

[katie-e-lewis]

Hello!
One of my girls (dorie) has just come into lay. Today I found a perfect little egg in the nesting box! However there was also some yolk smeared about on the shavings. Must of been from dorie as I had already taken the other 3 girls gifts earlier and it wasn't there then. Also yesterday there was a lot of yolk about in the main house but no sign of a shell. None of the girls are currently egg eaters. Wondering if dorie laid a soft shelled yesterday? But why more yolk today?! Any ideas? Should I be worried? They are free range, fed layers mash and have constant access to oyster and flint grit.
Thanks!

 

[Judy]

Welcome to our forum!

You can see all sorts of oddities in eggs and egg laying when they first start laying. Hopefully you are just seeing the result of a soft shelled or shell-less egg. Usually after about a month, they will straighten out.

Chickens will eat an egg any time it is broken and available. That does not make them an egg eater, which involves routinely and purposefully breaking them to eat them. Many old time chicken keepers will throw their damaged eggs on the floor of the coop the for flock to eat, without the flock ever turning into egg eaters.

 

[nj2wv]

Welcome to BYC !!

 

[katie-e-lewis]

Thankyou! Mind at rest

 

[drumstick diva]

Do you provide some crushed oyster shell in a separate container? Even when getting layer feed, some birds feel the need to have some free choice.

 

[aart]

I got lots of thin or no shell eggs when they first started laying...can take up to a month or so for things to smooth out.

 

[katie-e-lewis]

I do provide a mixed grit - flint and oyster, shall I get some just oyster? They have access to it all the time. Another soft or no shell today I have another hen the same age and she didn't do this. My other 2 are ex bats and they chuck out some crazies sometimes but I've put that down to them getting on a bit! X