[rdaitch]

Hi can any one help me, one of my chickens keeps laying soft shelled eggs, the other three lay perfect eggs. Many thanks RDAitch

[Viv]

two of my hens have started to do this and i think its because they are just coming into lay. Hopefully they will harden up soon.
They get oyster shell and layers mash and they free range.

[poultrygeist]

I was reading something online at dinnertime about egg quality and defects.

Apparently heat stress (not likely  :roll: ) or dehydration can cause soft/shell-less eggs. It pushes their body salinity up if they don't drink enough.

Or sudden shocks such as earthquakes  :!:  can do it.

Or as Viv says, it can just be getting used to laying or a change of circumstance.

Some good info on the Defra site but you have to search for it.
Rob

[Aunt Sally]

Make sure their nutriton is good.  espeially if they are freeranging.

Calcium, oyster shell,  I also give a bit of lime flour mixed in their pellets, (from the horsey shop).  A few drops of cod liver oil will help calcium absorption too.

[mumsy]

Unfortunatley I had the same with one of mine, I tried absolutely everything, even joined this forum because of it  
Glad I did though as it is a wealth of information & full of chicken mad cyber friends. I say unfortunatley because she actually never stopped laying soft shelled eggs, then started eating them, which they all got the taste for.  So sadly I rehomed her.  I do hope yours start to lay proper eggs, but don't be suprised if they don't.  My SIL (who makes a living from her chook eggs) always gets rid of those who lay soft eggs, so I guess it depends on how attached you are.  Sorry I can't be more positive, can only tell you about my experience.   :cry:

[Aunt Sally]

If extra oyster shell or Limestone flour and Vitamin D doesn't improve the shells. I would give some Poultry Spice or poultry drink.  These contain many other minerals which may help (eg Manganese)

Sometimes though a hen's egg making system just stops working well  

[rdaitch]

Many thanks for your replies, as luck would have it, I have had no soft shelled eggs this week  Thank you all again, and the GIRLS thank you.  

[sullycarter]

put some some oyster shells in with their food.