Why is my hen laying soft shelled eggs?

Did you know that chickens can lay eggs without shells? It’s true. These eggs usually have a rubbery, flexible membrane that can look wrinkly or dented and may squish when touched. Sometimes they even have a tail! If you just learned about these strange things by experience while collecting eggs, don’t panic. Chances are, you’re doing just fine taking care of your hens and this is something that can easily be fixed. Read on to see why soft-shelled eggs happen and how to prevent them!

What causes soft shelled eggs? 

There are several reasons your hens could produce a soft-shelled egg. Here are some common factors that can lead to soft-shelled eggs:

Calcium deficiency

This is the most common reason for soft-shelled eggs. Eggshells are primarily made of calcium carbonate, and hens need calcium in their diet to produce strong eggshells. 

Vitamin D deficiency 

Hens need vitamin D3 to absorb and process calcium, making it essential for healthy eggs. 

Stress

This one is a little less specific. A hen can become stressed for a variety of reasons, such as loud noises near the coop, predator attacks, harsh weather conditions, or sudden relocation. Even something as simple as an unexpected feed brand change can cause some stress to your birds. 

Age

Young hens (“pullets”) who have just begun laying sometimes have little malfunctions in their system as their bodies get used to producing eggs. This generally goes away quickly as they mature. Older hens can also have issues creating hard shells as they reach laying retirement age. 

How to prevent soft-shelled eggs: 

• Feed your hens a complete layers’ feed mix to provide them with the nutrients they need to produce healthy eggs. This should be 16-18% protein, and contain calcium as well as vitamins and minerals. 
  
  
• Provide an outside source of calcium, such as crushed oyster shells or ground limestone. Every hen needs a slightly different amount, and this gives them the freedom to consume as much as they need. 
  
  
• Do your best to reduce stress by keeping your flocks’ environment as calm and comfortable as possible. Be sure they always have adequate protection from the elements, food and fresh water, protection from predators, and enough space. 
  
  
• Give your flock the ability to spend at least a few hours outside each day. Sunlight is a great source of vitamin D which will help keep their egg production systems working properly. 

When to worry about soft-shelled eggs:

If you are taking proper care of your flock, it’s generally not a concern for someone to lay a soft-shelled egg on occasion. However, if you notice it happening frequently, whether from one specific hen or your whole flock, it’s important to take further action. This can be a sign of underlying illness, a dietary deficiency, or reproductive issues. At this point, it’s best to contact an avian vet. They can help you find what is going wrong and provide solutions.

Check out our blog for other helpful articles on chicken keeping, like when and how to introduce chicks to the rest of your flock and more.