callyfc Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Hi Ive had my girls for just over 2 weeks, Ginger and Nut started laying in the nesting box this week, Biscuit layed a beautiful big egg with no shell this afternoon in the middle of the garden, I know a softie is nothing to worry about at first, but will she get the idea to lay in the nesting box??? Any one else had hens laying on the lawn??? Cally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Pepper has layed one softie. Although she always usually lays in the nest box, this one was plonked in the middle of the run. I am guessing they don't treat them the same as proper eggs with shells. I would wait and see where she puts her first shelled egg! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callyfc Posted August 9, 2008 Author Share Posted August 9, 2008 Thanks, how long was it before she layed a hard egg? C x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 She started off with shelled eggs - it was just a one off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 In my experience the hen seems to know when she will lay a softie, & will lay it anywhere other than the nest box, so I'm sure that she will get the hang of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callyfc Posted August 10, 2008 Author Share Posted August 10, 2008 T hanx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob and Jen Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Hi everyone, We have had our 3 chooks about three weeks now. We also have had one beautiful hard-shelled egg laid in the nestbox but that was a week ago and no hard-shelled eggs since. However, we have been getting shell-less eggs dropped around on the ground in various places. Is this normal?...maybe the chooks haven't quite got the hang of making solid aegg, or is it maybe a diet defficiency (we feed them with the Omlet chicken feed that was delivered with them - although we do treat them with the occasional donut and meal worm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 lol-one of mine laid two softys while perched on handrail of decking so i guess when they need to get rid-they dont care where! [/i] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bohochic Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 I've heard they glow in the dark... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenzin Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Soft shells are often caused from a lack of GRIT - OYSTER SHELL .. If there young hens it's quiet normal for them to lay a soft one , usually when they first lay . Regarding not laying in the nesting box , try putting a few egg shaped pebbles in the nesting box so they know to lay in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 When Joy was going through her softie stage, I found them on the lawn, in the run and in the poo trays, as well as one or two in the nestbox. They probably come out quicker than "proper" eggs, so there may not be time to get to the nestbox. They also make a mess in the nestbox, so it may be easier to clean up if they're laid elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 My Bella laid a lot of softies/shell less eggs in the early days - none of these were laid in the nest box, but all her 'normal' eggs were in the nesting box - I am sure this is just getting use to it. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
