Soft shelled eggs in evening

[MrsDaffy]

Hi, newbie in chicken keeping and I would appreciate some advice.
We have 3 hens that have been laying every morning for about 4 weeks - no problem. On Saturday we got back late and when I went to close up the coop, Phoebe was still out in the run in the dark and there were 2 soft shelled eggs in the run with her. Apparently there had been an egg cackle at 9pm. She seemed fine and went to sleep straight away.
Yesterday there was no egg in the morning which was to be expected. She's been eating and acting as usual. This morning there was another soft shelled egg in the run (someone else locked up last night) and Phoebe has been sitting in the nest box for ages. The other two are laying good eggs regularly so I don't think it's a food/calcium problem. Can any one help?

[bearded bloke]

How old is Phoebe ? I seem to recall reading that one reason for soft shelled egg was the her might be nearing the end of her laying life,but there are loads of peeps on here more experienced at chooks than me & they might have other ideas.

[MrsDaffy]

Yes, I'd read it's common in older hens - she's only just started laying so she's a young 'un

[veggiechicken]

I have some young hens too and one of them laid soft shelled eggs for a while. She seemed to lay them from the perch overnight. She's laying proper eggs now.

[MrsDaffy]

That does sound a similar thing. I'm hoping it's just a glitch with her being young and it will sort itself out - just need to be vigilant and pick the eggs up. The yolk was gone this morning so someone has helped herself. But hopefully they won't realise and start eating the proper eggs. They're certainly keeping me on my toes!

[ChrisMath88]

I'm having a similar thing with my light Sussex, she's been laying well for about 6 months now most of her eggs are soft shelled and have been for about 2 weeks, all the others are laying fine and she looks healthy in every other way. I have a broody hen as well so it gets messy when she sits on it :-/ I'm hoping it's just one of those things and she snaps out of it, I've heard it could be a heat thing so maybe it's the warm weather that's causing it? But the others are all fine so I don't know :-/


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[Scarlet]

I agree with VC it often happens with younger ones in their early laying days...she's obviously not quite got the hang of it yet.
3 new ones - got any pics, we all love a nosey!

[Scarlet]

I've heard it could be a heat thing so maybe it's the warm weather that's causing it? But the others are all fine so I don't know :-/

I have read that heat can cause it due to lack off food intake. Are you feeding extra treats? If so, cut them out completely for a few weeks. Feed layers ad lib and a small scattering of corn only.

[ChrisMath88]

Yeah but not masses and when I do it's a few strawberries or a bit of veg nothing much I tend not to in summer as much as winter. But I'll cut them out completely as see if that helps, thanks!


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[MrsDaffy]

Interesting about the food as I've been told to feed plenty of greens so been giving cabbage and dandelions. But they've also been having a few strawberries as I've pottered past the run - they're good at making me feel guilty! Will cut treats out and see what happens. Thanks for all the advice.
I've attached a pic which I took when we first got them - yes, just finished watching all ten series of Friends!

[ChrisMath88]

Phoebe is the same breed as mine that's got the same problem, maybe its in the breed..... Or we're both equally unlucky.....


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[veggiechicken]

Mine was a Light Sussex too

[MrsDaffy]

Sounds like it might be the breed then? She's the only one that's been giving problems - she was bossy and pecky when we first got them, laid her eggs in the middle of the run when she first started laying and now this!

[SteevK]

I had a similar problem with one of my young 'uns. (See' poultry spice' thread). She's been on poultry spice for a couple of weeks now and has made a big improvement. I think she may just be a late developer.

[bearded bloke]

My Sussex (Leona) is laying eggs with perfect shells but they are quite small