Egg concerns ?

[country chic]

Hi , for the second time within a space of a few days one of my young girls has laid an egg beside the coop door not in the nesting box, before we have got them up in the morning.

The shell is very soft and rips easily and today it looks like two were laid and one of them, the shell was not fully developed. They are all fed layers, have grit and oyster shell and get the same kitchen scrapes so I dont think it is diet related.

Am pretty sure I know which chicken it is from and just wondering if this is common with young birds who have not had an established laying season yet ?

The first time it happened one of the girls started to eat the egg which too is a bit worrying. I am just hoping it will settle down and the laying of a normal egg will happen. any advice welcome thanks.

[Hilary B]

Eggy oddness isn't unusual with birds just starting to lay. Almost any kind of odd egg might happen.
If soft-shells get eaten, it's no big deal, unless they get the habit and start on the proper ones!

[RichmondHens]

Totally agree with Hilary.

[Suechooks]

One of my ex-batts aged around 3 years has started laying "softies" almost every evening just before bedtime and one of my bantam Orpingtons aged about 7 months has twice laid 2 at the same time, one softie and one normal. They do these funny things - it's hormones - just think how they affect humans!

[country chic]

Thanks folks, thats put my mind at rest about it, all seemingly ' normal' behaviour : )