Chicken laying egg with no shell

[Theck1722]

I have a mixed flock of Easter eggers, Red stars, and one red Cochin bantam (who I’ve never seen lay an egg). They all hatched in May and started laying end or November to early December. Three times now I’ve had a mess in the nesting box. Today it was obvious an egg was laird with no shell. Yolk and whites were in there. I feed purina layer crumbles that has the Ouster Strong system logo on it. Is this a lack of oyster shell or because they are young? Would love some advice and input! Thanks

 

[Noraaaaa]

I think it may be because of no calcium (so yes oyster shells).

Your hens may be eating the shells as well because they are trying to get more calcium in their body. If you have a problem with egg eaters poke a hole in two sides of an egg with a toothpick. Blow (with your mouth) the yolk and whites out until the shell is empty. Then fill completely with mustard! This will make them not like eating eggs anymore.

Your hens know what's good for them and I would recommend putting some oyster shells out! They will eat what they need and leave what they don't need.

 

[Theck1722]

I think it may be because of no calcium (so yes oyster shells).

Your hens may be eating the shells as well because they are trying to get more calcium in their body. If you have a problem with egg eaters poke a hole in two sides of an egg with a toothpick. Blow (with your mouth) the yolk and whites out until the shell is empty. Then fill completely with mustard! This will make them not like eating eggs anymore.

Your hens know what's good for them and I would recommend putting some oyster shells out! They will eat what they need and leave what they don't need.

Thank you! Wasn’t sure if I could put more out or if they could consume too much. I’ll get some out ASAP. I’ve had a peck or two in some eggs but nothing crazy that would lead me to believe they are eating them. Thankfully.

 

[Sh1nyH4ppy]

I just saw today that one of the symptoms of bird flu is eggs without a shell.
https://www.avma.org/resources-tool...n-influenza/avian-influenza-companion-animals

Maybe not exclusively a symptom of bird flu, because we got one softshell egg while a few chickens had a pox two years ago.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Your feed likely has enough calcium to meet their needs but still a good idea to offer the option of more calcium if there's birds with a higher need for it. Otherwise I'd chalk it up to new layer glitch, unless it continues.

 

[Noraaaaa]

Thank you! Wasn’t sure if I could put more out or if they could consume too much. I’ll get some out ASAP. I’ve had a peck or two in some eggs but nothing crazy that would lead me to believe they are eating them. Thankfully.

Good! Good luck!!!

 

[Theck1722]

I just saw today that one of the symptoms of bird flu is eggs without a shell.
https://www.avma.org/resources-tool...n-influenza/avian-influenza-companion-animals

Maybe not exclusively a symptom of bird flu, because we got one softshell egg while a few chickens had a pox two years ago.

I’ll keep an eye on them. It’s been going on for weeks and nobody is visibly sick!