Soft shelled eggs.

[Corris]

I have at least one chicken laying soft shelled/no shelled eggs.

They have grit and shell in their feeder, I am scattering it around the pen - but it has ben going on for a week or so now.

Two mornings running I've found one of the damned things eating them.

Any ideas please?

[kathyd]

Hi Corris

Are they all adult birds, or do you have some new layers? Are any of the birds new to you? Is one of the birds being bullied or seems stressed? Has it ever happened before?

One of my adult hybrids periodically lays a soft shelled egg, and one of the newbies (I think) laid a couple in the run-up to laying, but it's always sorted itself out.. and yes, mine eat them to if they find them first, but so far it hasn't led to any ongoing bad behaviour.. *fingers crossed*. I'm having some very weird eggs altogether at the moment - I'm going to post some photos later!

[Corris]

they were new birds to me in October - came into lay just before/during Christmas.

One has been broody for several weeks and is just coming out of it.

They were entirely free range up to about a week ago, now they are penned because I've started planting things.

[kathyd]

Well... I've only had mine since October too so I'm no expert, but I'm wondering whether it's a reaction to being penned in suddenly if they're used to free ranging? Are any of them showing signs of being bullied or anything? I'm sure someone will be able to give you more info later anyway .

[RichmondHens]

If the soft shells have coincided with you shutting them in then it may be diet related, especially as more than one is laying them. What were they getting outside that they don't have now? Presume they are on a good quality layers pellet?

And Kathy has a point, if they have enjoyed free ranging up till recently they may be a little stressed having to be penned up again.

[Corris]

they have layers pellet and corn plus assorted kitchen slingouts plus we dig a bit of their plot every day so they have worms and scratchings.

But I don't know what they are missing to be honest, because they used to roam both ours and next doors gardens.