[BestBreast]

Good evening.

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for my soft egg propblem. For the last three days I have found a soft egg in the hen house. Yesterday there was also a disformed egg (very pale/white shell and is slightly transparent). I have not been able to tell which chicken is laying as I have found them randomly so may be more than one. I have not tested the egg in water as not ready to eat it yet. Generally they seem happy and healthy, laying well and all other eggs are excellent. Feeding them layers pellets and mixed corn (mainly pellets), they get tip bits but mostly potato.

Thanks.

[poultrygeist]

Hi BB.

They will lay soft eggs now and then btu if one is laying them (maybe/maybe not) it could be a problem.

It could mean there's not enough calcium in their diet or a sign of underlying illness.

Can you give them extra calcium through crushed oyster shell or limestone flour ?

Rob

[BestBreast]

I will buy oyster shells tomorrow as need more LP anyway. They all get to roam my garden so not sure if lack of calcium as shells have been really good. The only soft egg we have had was when Marigold laid her first but I can always tell her eggs apart as they are very speckley.

I found todays soft egg first thing so no idea who laid it. Been checking all day to see if I can work it out but they did not want to be helpful. Just two eggs after breakfast. Normally get 4 or 3 but no more laid today.

If it is due to illness what could it be any other symptoms? All look bright and poo is normal.

[poultrygeist]

Have consulted one of the tomes HERE and it doesn't really help much. Assuming no other symptoms and vaccinations given as chicks.

I know when we have one, it doesn't usually persist. I put it down to the shock idea. If one of them has a bit of a fright it can interupt the process.

Rob

[mumsy]

If they have just started laying, its quite common for them to lay soft shelled eggs, they are just beginners & will soon get the hang of it.  Likewise if they are coming to the end of their laying days.............

[BestBreast]

Thanks for your help.

They are young birds, all lay well can usually tell who has laid which egg. They had their vac as chicks.

Was not worried about one egg but three days in a row has concerned me. They all enjoy our company and have even gone in to lay while I'm cleaning their poo out of their house so I'm not sure they would be scared. They were used to a dog from their prev home and have encountered cats so nothing new as far as I'm aware.

I'll will get some shell tomorrow. I will add a handfull to their LP (If not best practice please advise).

[mumsy]

Leave in a dish so they can help themselves ad hoc.........needs to be available all the time, I have a hopper on a wall.

[poultrygeist]

Likewise.

They'll go mad for it to start with but soon get bored. :roll:

Rob