Author Topic: Eggs with no shells? (Read 3332 times)

gillandtom · « **on:** March 09, 2009, 07:45:45 pm »

One of our hens has been laying eggs over the last couple of days that have no hard shells only a thin membrane holding it together. Anyone have any ideas about this and how we can rectify the problem?

$:-\$

Thanks Gillian

jameslindsay · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2009, 08:14:02 pm »

Is it a young hen? One of my ducks used to have that problem but it was the first time for her laying so I put it down to her being very young. I did introduce some "grit" into her food and the problem stopped. I do believe it was her age though.

pigsatlesrues · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2009, 08:26:18 pm »

Try this website: http://wiki.omlet.co.uk/index.php/Soft_Shelled_Eggs - it should answer your questions. It often happens to young hens, and the problem quickly rectifies itself.

Kate

Rosemary · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2009, 08:27:02 pm »

Sometimes hens do this when they start laying. It should pass. Oystershell grit won't do any harm.

gillandtom · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2009, 08:35:29 pm »

Thanks everyone. She is about 25-28 weeks and has been laying 'normal' eggs every day for about a month now. One double yolker last week then 3 soft shells in the last week. She is free range and has pellets and oyster shell as well as scraps. Hopefully it will pass.

Thanks
Gillian
x

northfifeduckling · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2009, 09:29:25 am »

If it happens to one of our ducks occasionally I give them extra oystershell grit and next day it's fine.

carl · « **Reply #6 on:** March 11, 2009, 09:48:37 am »

I get them sometimes , when pullets are starting to lay. it always makes me jump when I pick up the egg and it is squishy and soft, not firm and smooth like a normal egg. I've never used them for eating, not sure what to do with them, so usually feed them to the cat.