Runny Eggs No Shell

[Chickens4Me]

The last 2 days I have found 2 Runny Eggs, one in the Run and one below the nesting perch. I added a new hen to my flock last week who I was told was a bad layer (2008 stock) but since I added her to the girls there has been quite a bit of bullying both to her and from her. Could it be the eggs are from her or from another Hen who has been stressed by the introduction of the new girl ? Or is it a calcium shortage they are all on layers pellets.

[Suechooks]

I get those occasionally too. Don't think its a calcium problem as I now give limestone flour (on recommendation from folk on this forum!) as well as having grit and shell freely available plus they have layers rations which also contains grit and shell. The quality of shells has improved immensely recently. I think they just pop one out without any shell for some reason.
I'm sure before long someone will be able to tell you why. I'll be watching with interest.

[-pat m]

I have the occasional soft shell, my chickens are very free range and I do give some extra shell but they get plenty of grit etc from around the paddock. Last year I had a few dropped eggs off the perch most soft shelled (after introducing some new chickens) an it turned out that I had introduced mites; I cleared up that trouble and haven’t had any problems since, just a precautionary keep an eye to make sure they are mite free.
Regards
Pat

[Chickens4Me]

Mites ! Is that why my birds are looking scruffy, The warrens have white patches of feathers showing I thought that was with just the bullying

[Suechooks]

Mites ! Is that why my birds are looking scruffy, The warrens have white patches of feathers showing I thought that was with just the bullying

More likely to be moult but look around the vent and under the wings and you'll see eggs or lice moving about (this is all theory as I haven't yet had any - or rather my chooks haven't!) Do you treat house for red mite? I put powder in nest boxes and all round the house to deter red mite and louse powder in the bedding and nest boxes. I've also found an aerosol spray against red mite, so that gets done frequently too. All my ex-batts have had some degree of moult and my Amber is looking decidedly scruffy!

[MaureenHall]

As you've tackled the possible calcium deficiency problem, it could be stress from various things causing it. Like -patm said, it could be mites or lice, or internal parasites / worms, or simply the introduction of a new hen. I get these (well my chickens do) every so often and I'm a bit reluctant to put too much limestone flour in the treats as the 4 youngsters I have already give me eggs with rock-hard shells. In fact I dropped one on the draining board the other day and it bounced!

Even though I've not seen any evidence of mites, lice or worms, before too much longer, the next "nice" day we have, I'm going to Spring Clean my girls. Strip out the coop of all bedding completely and treat for red mite. I'll powder all the chooks with louse powder (that should be fun!) and I'll worm them all.

Giving garlic in their food (powder from horsey places) and Apple Cider Vinegar in their water helps to deter lice and internal parasites, and they already get that about once a week. It sounds as if you're getting there with the bullying, well done. Good luck with the other problems

[HayleyB]

I use Chook spice twice a week and regular limestone, it may be she is not getting her fair share and may still be a tad deficient.

Mites tend to show as blood drops on eggs.

[Chickens4Me]

Thanks for all your advice, She seems tbe in the middle of the pecking order now. I have given them all grit today, well until they tipped it all over the floor Lol

[frias]

None of mine touch the bowls of grit and shell so also sprinkle some on the ground. Mine also get limestone flour and baked ground eggshells which has helped. However all sorts of stress results in soft shells. Fireworks, airshow overhead, dog barking at them, all these things have resulted in soft shells the next day. My vet says older hens do have problems absorbing enough calcium too.