White dribble followed by a soft egg, plus other out of character behavior

[Joellevonb]

Good Evening..

I’ve had some soft egg layers (passed overnight from on the roost) and was able to pin point at least one culprit today. In the evening my 5 month old Rhode Island Red seemed sleepy and laid in the grass while the others were busy grazing. She was standing still not moving, I picked her up and gently felt her belly. I put her down and then she immediately squatted, white dribble came out and then it was followed by a soft egg. She and 3 other hens immediately ate it. I was nervous she was egg bound so I did feel around up there and felt nothing. This is my first time owning chickens as well as my first time sticking my finger in one so while I wasn’t really sure what I was looking for ..I didn’t feel anything. She went back to eating, got in the roost, like nothing happened. So I guess I have 2 questions..should I be worried? The sleepiness/statue standing gave me pause..or is this just a young pullet layer with a calcium deficiency? (I recently just switched to an all flock 20% and they have oyster shells). And what’s with the eating of the egg?? Thank you in advance from a first time chicken mom!!

 

[Mrs. K]

They love eating the eggs, any egg that breaks on the floor is fair game.

I think that you probably have enough calcium, most young birds do. It is old birds after a lot of laying that can become calcium deficiency. If you oyster shell on the side, that is good and enough.

5 month old birds are pretty young - and they have soft shell eggs. It happens. It generally stops on its own, sometimes in the spring, when they start up again, you will get a rash of it. It really is just not that big of deal.

I would just keep an eye on her, not because I think there is something that you should do, but rather this might be a bird you don't want to keep. But truthfully, I expect that in 4 weeks, all they problems will be gone, whether or not you do anything.

this is pretty normal.

Mrs K

 

[ChicNmom]

Personally, I would give them a calcium supplement directly in the beak for any laying soft eggs for a few days until the shells firm up. If an egg breaks inside them they could get an infection. First eggs are usually smaller but shouldn't be soft.

Over the years I have had a few girls that I had to make sure took calcium. I have layer pellets and oyster shell. They either didn't eat the shell or just needed a bit more. The calcium also helps with muscle contractions to help them pass the egg.