[debih]

Last week I asked about soft shelled eggs being laid by my new POL chickens.

Another egg question.

We have now had 4 eggs from our 4 chickens in the 4 weeks that we have had them.  We are positive that it is the Black Rock that is laying - 2 of the 4 eggs have been double yokers so that was exciting.

We are still getting full size soft shelled eggs (which we are throwing away) although are not sure who they are coming from.

Over the last few days we have had one double yoked hard shell egg, one tiny soft shelled egg, one normal sized soft shelled egg and one just a yoke on the floor of the house.  Today I have just been up to check on them and found one egg with no shell (so a yoke and some clear white liquid around it) and one broken small soft shelled egg on the floor of the house.

Is this still normal?

They diet is mixed layers pellets and the greenery that is in the run (grass and dandelions)  plus a lettuce (that they didn't seem that keen on) and some cress (that they did like).  I am giving them a handful of grit twice a week.

[Casey76]

Afternoon!

This is perfectly normal for POl chickens.  It sometimes takes a while for their egg laying mechanics to sort them selves out!

[bantam novice]

Hello there,

From what I've read on this forum it is quite normal for a POL to lay softies and odd eggs at the start of her egg laying.  It sometimes takes a little while for her to settle into laying.

You can eat softies scrambled or poached if you want.  

If your hens are eating, drinking and poohing alright and moving around OK I would say give it a little time.

It may be worth your while to identify a local chicken-friendly vet on a just in case basis.  Not all vets are, and some will refuse to treat hens at all.

Well Casey, you beat me to it! 

[ANHBUC]

I have 4 black rocks and 2 bovan goldlines.  One of the b g's 'Bossy Boots' lays soft shelled eggs regularly.  I have managed to control it to some extent by providing oyster shell available at all times.  Olive oil on a small piece of bread occasionally to help the absorbtion of calcium.  Less treats as I think this is why she is out of balance, she is the greadiest of the six hens.  Others on the Forum gave me this advice and it does help.

Hope it helps your hens.

[debih]

Thanks.   

I must try to stop worrying about them.

I worry less about the kids!