Empty egg shells

[CountryBumpkinsofLumpkin]

Earlier this week, one of our black Australorps started brooding. We don't have a rooster, so the eggs she is sitting on are un-fertilized. She is sitting very low in the nesting box.

Also, this week I found what looked like a small wet balloon in the hen house. It didn't feel rubbery, and kinda fell apart in my hands. This morning, I found another one, intact. It looked like a deflated egg.

The hen house and run are cleaned every morning.

Questions:

1. Should we be concerned with this hen? The other 9 hens are fine.
2. Is this normal?
3. Should we expect to find more 'empty' shells?

Thanks for your quick replies. All the hens are part of our 'family'

Mike
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[arlee453]

Shell-less eggs do happen from time to time. If you continue to see them, it does indicate a problem.

The key factor is do they have enough calcium in their diet? If you keep seeing them, make sure to get them some oyster shell and offer free-feed to make sure they can get more calcium is needed.

 

[MissPrissy]

Stress and nutritional deficiencies often are the cause of odd eggs. But, an odd egg every once in a while is very common too.

As for the hen - if the eggs are not fertile take the eggs and block her out of the nest. Leaving eggs like this is a very bad habit that can lead to egg eating if one was accidentally broken. A rotten egg explosion is a real stinky mess you don't want to have to clean up.

It is really a bad idea and poor hen house management to leave eggs in the nest. Eggs should be collected daily - several times a day if possible.

You can break the hens brood. You just have to be more stubborn than she is.

If you want some chicks then get her some hatching eggs and let her sit.

 

[CountryBumpkinsofLumpkin]

The hen house is cleaned every morning, and the eggs are collected a few times a day. They are fed 22% protein pellets and a handful of cracked corn every day.

Mike
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[Stella1964]

You said that the eggs were laid EMPTY, not that they were shell-less eggs...interesting. I wonder if perhaps the protein you're feeding them is a little high for layers. My books say around 16% protein for layers, 17% if it's really hot out. I've only given 22-24% protein to my chicks, not the hens. I've been feeding my hens this way and they lay virtually every day, strong perfect eggs. Only once I found a shell-less egg and it hasn't happened since. I also remove the eggs several times a day, when I can.

I also feed them a handful of scratch, dandelion leaves, spinach (makes for very orange yolks!), and dried shredded coconut to keep parasites away. Works perfectly!

 

[MissPrissy]

Quote:
I may have misunderstood but this reads as if you have a broody hen sitting on unfertilized eggs left in the nest.

Are you saying she has eggs with a soft shell and nothing in them?