good_egg Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 My RIR has been laying reasonably consistently now for about a week, but they are all softies. I know it is normal for them to lay soft shells as they start up but am a bit concerned that now she has got over the random timings etc at the start and settled into a routine they still seem to be soft. Has anyone else had this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Hi good_egg I have a beautiful light sussex which I have had since she was a tiny day old.She came into lay this year and.................has never, ever laid an egg with a shell Every single day she lays a softie. It's not diet or other environmental factors since all my laying hens lay eggs with rock hard shells. She has an idyllic life pottering around the garden & has everything she could possibly need. Have come to the conclusion that its due to her innards ( ) and there isn't much I can do. Notwithstanding this I have a word with a vet next time I'm there. Hope this doesn't happen to your lady and that it all sorts itself out. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMS6 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I have four hens and only ever get softies from the Light Sussex, is it a breed thing do you think? She's not a learner - she must be over 2 now and has always done this on the odd occassion, she also sometimes lays eggs that are all bumpy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 Eek. Bit worried she is going to keep laying softies now!! Fingers crossed she is still settling down - there was a small softie yesterday avo in addition to her overnight offering. She seemed to make it into cube but layed in poo tray instead of box. I'm pretty sure both were her as coco had laid already and lulu still has hardly any crest. On way home now so hopefully there will be a nice pressie! Thanks for replying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Have ordered Shell Max at huge expense from Wells Poultry, just in case she is calcium deficient. Will let you know how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 My Amber is laying softies too! I have had a 50/50 hard shell/softies from her since she started laying. I also suspect my Sussex hybrid is laying softies in the night. I give them a calcium supplement in their food, they always have access to oyster shell/grit. I give them cooked egg shells with their afternoon treats and have been putting a bit of Life Guard in the water every other time I fill it up. I will start to give them some porridge this weekend too, just to see if that helps! I hope it is just because your hen is starting out! I'm hoping it will all calm down too. With everything I have read, it isn't uncommon to get softies to start with. BUT if it doesn't calm down I will still adore my girls all the same sparkysmum - good luck with the supplement! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted July 24, 2012 Author Share Posted July 24, 2012 Thanks for replies! She has laid two softies in the run tonight and perked up as a result - poor girl has developed a limp though. Can't feel a cause so think she may have been a bit exuberant at sweet corn swingball last night. Shells still flimsy and burst - never had anything else from her yet. She is the friendliest though, poor thing, can't be fun passing all these softies. Let me know how supplement works out sparkysmum - would be tempted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 I am having the same thing with my light Sussex hybrid. and have given her shell max. today... It does cost a lot but works very well and will last you ages... Have to say I did not expect this from youngsters, was so used to it with the exbats!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted August 1, 2012 Author Share Posted August 1, 2012 where did you get it from - might be worth trying.... although she is lame at the moment and showing no signs of improvement despite a weeks worth of anti-inflammatorys and painkillers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shemybelle Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 My softie layer has been on shell max for 4 days and she laid a normal egg today - yay! She has also had limestone flour and was treated for lice, and seems to be eating more grit since I bought grit holders that attach to the run like the grub, so it's hard to tell what has done the trick. I'm very pleased and I hope it continues. Lx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Have mentioned on another thread that .........I've not had a softie/shellless egg for a few days now Can't tell if she's laying normal eggs or just not laying at all but am cautiously delighted Will report again in a few days. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shemybelle Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 That's great! We had two days of nothing before Super Ally laid a normal egg. Lx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Had been wishful thinking. Pool of egg yesterday and paper thin shelled egg today which she'd scoffed all but a bit of shell. Def not calcium deficient, think I'll speak to vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shemybelle Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 Sorry to hear that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
