Single hen

[katehicken]

Morning

 

I have a quick question that I am really hoping is nothing ut has got me really worried. I have three chickens one of which has been laying for a fortnight no problems. Of the other two on started laying on Friday and then has been ok over the weekend. The other started laying yesterday and her egg was fine. When I let the out this morning one of the has layed two soft eggs (they were on top of one another so I assume was just the one of them). They were fine this morning and all clucking and eating as normal. Could it be that one of them just had a build up and needed to lay a few? Would really appreciate anyone's feedback as I am so worried.

kate x

[chickinboy]

Hi Kate,

I'm no expert as I'm new to this too, but with my four, they only ever lay their eggs in a one pile. Don't know how the last eggs don't get broken when the next one comes along to do theirs, but they manage it. They take it in turns to go up into the house, and add theirs to the pile, so I'm not sure about yours being from one hen. As for softies, I haven't had a problem yet (apart from a random yolk in the coop today...) but I'm told it generally means they need more calcium - checkout the other areas of the form for info.

[JB09]

Hi Kate,

 

The same thing happened to me when mine started laying. I too was really worried but after seeking advice from the forum, found that this sometimes happens when chicks start laying. As a precaution I did however get some additional grit. I add about a handful to a grub full of pellets and touch wood have not had the same problem since. Don't worry, before I had even got the grit the shels had hardened up. I looked at it as a kind of practice!

 

Hopefully the shells will harden up.

 

JB