Ammonia smell in coop-first time owner

[Pearls007]

I have 2 hybrids a and a . I think the ginger has in effect produced 4 eggs today. This morning both girls laid an egg. The pepperpot produced a normal sized one and the other from Rosie the gingernut is obviously a double yolker. I went out at five this afternoon so shut them into the eglu run at 4.30. Just after 7 I went to have a chat with them and there were two soft shelled eggs in the run (one broken, one intact). About a week ago I had 3 soft shelled in one day - and at that point the pepperpot wasn't laying. I've already had one double yolker this week. I know that soft eggs are not uncommon - but what about multiple eggs/softies in one day? Both hens are absolutely fine and seem as happy as pigs in muck. They are 6 months or so old.

[fluffy chick]

I've never heard of chickens laying that many eggs, soft or not! I could concentrate on trying to stop the soft eggs by making grit available and good quality pellets (make sure they are in date).

[Olly]

It's rare but not unheard of. Have they just started laying - I assume so at this age. They're probably just getting into the swing of things.

[Pearls007]

The ginger has been laying ever since the day they were delivered, at which point the man from Omlet said they were 5 months old (4/3/11). They are on Omlet pellets which are in date and have grit available.

[fluffy chick]

If they seem healthy as you say i wouldn't worry then. From experience, I would try and egg collect as often as you can though. Sometimes chickens try and eat soft eggs which can be a hard habit to crack (no pun intended )

[Sam]

When one of ours has a soft shell egg, Matilda usually lays 1/2/3 of them during that day then she carries on normally.

[Pearls007]

When one of ours has a soft shell egg, Matilda usually lays 1/2/3 of them during that day then she carries on normally.

That's reassuring. She has laid an egg everyday since the 3 soft egg incident. No wonder they get through so may pellets - it must really be hard work producing that many.

[jennydavies]

We have six girls and we regularly get 7 eggs per day. I think the extra long days help to encourage them. As others have said, just make sure they have plenty of grit and plenty of water.

[Snowy]

This is the time of year when laying goes into overdrive. It's quite common for a young hen to fire out several in one day. They don't stay inside the hen long enough to have a shell applied, hence they are all softies.

[eve]

i have had 3 in one day off 2 hybrids. most of time 2 but every other day i get double yolkers.they bout 6 months old

[Pearls007]

Rosie is at it again - she laid two softies yesterday in the late afternoon. Today she was obviously brewing softies again so I was watching her - I missed the first one - but about an hour later (I was sitting on the grass next to the run with aG&T!) and had a wonderful view as she turned her bottom to me and squished out the second. The first was normal egg size, the second a bit smaller - it had obviously shot through her so fast that it didn't have much white but a normal sized yolk - ah well the Yorkshire puddings will be even better this weekend!