Soft eggs

[ChickenTenderz]

I have 4 RIR that are 11 months old. They've been laying pretty regular since last fall with very few oddities. Beautiful big brown eggs from each pullet. BUT a couple weeks ago, one of my girls started dropping a soft shelled egg from the perch every night. I read on one of the forums to give her calcium tablets. After a week of doing that, she layed a "good" egg and was seemingly proud of herself. I stopped the calcium tablets and she seemed to be ok for a few days even if the eggshells were paper thin she was successfully laying them in the nesting box. Then I found another soft egg under her perch yesterday. What else can I do to help my girl?
The only other thing I can think that I've changed is I started giving them lentil sprouts 2-3 times a week as a treat. My girls free range in the afternoons after work and get Dumor layer feed plus free choice crushed egg shells.

 

[Tookie]

Hello and welcome to BYC!
I'd keep on giving the calcium for a week or so. Are you using calcium citrate +D3 though?

 

[ChickenTenderz]

Hello and welcome to BYC!
I'd keep on giving the calcium for a week or so. Are you using calcium citrate +D3 though?

Calcium Carbonate plus vitamin D3 600mg

 

[Tookie]

Calcium Carbonate plus vitamin D3 600mg

Okay, that'll work. Although calcium citrate is more easily absorbed than calcium carbonate, so calcium citrate may work better.
I'd continue the calcium for another week and see how her eggs are by then.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The only othing I can think that I've changed is I started giving them lentil sprouts 2-3 times a week as a treat. My girls free range in the afternoons after workand get Dumor layer feed plus free choice crushed egg shells.

I would cut that out and see what happens!

Check out this article in following link for some of the things that can go awry and possible reasons including other specific nutrient deficiencies..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/common-egg-quality-problems.65923/

I *might* consider trying a supplement like Rooster Booster (brand) Poultry Cell (mixed in moist feed as it doesn't mix well with water) or Poultry Booster (products). No supplement should be given more than 10 days in a row.. but occasionally or even like one or 2 days weekly could be nice insurance.

I ALSO would consider a higher protein feed with more amino acids.

 

[ChickenTenderz]

Ok, I am going to cut the sprouts and give her calcium for a week to see if that helps.The other three don't seem to have any problem.

 

[Tookie]

Ok, I am going to cut the sprouts and give her calcium for a week to see if that helps.The other three don't seem to have any problem.

Sounds good!

 

[rosemarythyme]

If eggshell quality improves after you start giving her calcium again (and then decreases after you stop) you may need to plan on supplementing calcium for her throughout the laying season. You can try adjusting it (i.e. if you start with daily, decrease it to every other day, if it's still good, decrease it to once every 3 days etc.) so she doesn't get too much calcium, but she may simply need more than she's taking in or willing to take in on her own.

 

[ChickenTenderz]

Funny story.... I went to give my soft shell laying pullet Becky her Calcium tablet but her sister Dinner came up pecked my hand and ate the tablet so I had to get another for Becky. I guess she thought it was a special treat and was jealous!?
Becky is still dropping soft shells from her perch at night, of course it's only been a few days.

 

[ChickenTenderz]

It's been a week and still no improvement, she's still dropping a soft egg from her perch every night