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Why Are Soft Eggs Being Laid by Your Chicks Suddenly? (Plus, How to Mend It!)

Although owning hens is a fulfilling experience, enthusiasts for chickens may become concerned when they come into unforeseen problems such as soft egg laying. It’s imperative that responsible chicken owners comprehend the causes of this situation and take the necessary action to resolve it.

This post will examine the typical reasons why your hens aren’t laying soft eggs and offer workable fixes to keep your flock healthy and productive.

The Typical Process of Laying Eggs

Let’s take a quick look at the normal hen egg-laying procedure before delving into the causes of soft egg-laying. Around five to six months of age is when hens usually begin laying eggs, and their reproductive system is built to create a sturdy, hard shell that encases the egg. On the other hand, soft-shelled eggs are a sign of an underlying problem that requires care.

Typical Reasons for Soft Egg Laying

a). Calcium Deficiency: 

A deficiency in calcium in the hen’s diet is one of the main causes of soft egg shells. A vital element for the development of robust eggshells is calcium. Eggs with fragile or mushy shells may result from your hens not getting enough calcium in their diet.

b). VitaminD Deficiency:

 The absorption of calcium depends critically on vitamin D. Vitamin D-deficient chickens may find it difficult to properly absorb the calcium in their food. It’s crucial to provide your flock access to natural sunlight or to a well-balanced feed that contains enough vitamin D.

c) Stress and Environmental Factors:

 Because they are delicate animals, hens’ eggs may be impacted by stress or environmental changes. Stress can be caused by loud noises, crowded conditions, abrupt temperature changes, or the presence of predators, which can result in the development of soft-shelled eggs.

Read also:PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR FOWLPOX AND MAREK’S DISEASE IN CHICKENS

d). Age of the Hen:

 Hens may become less able to lay robust eggshells as they get older. Eggs from older hens may be softer because of problems with calcium absorption and use.

Diagnosing the Problem

The key to dealing with soft egg laying in your flock is figuring out what the exact cause is. The steps to identify the problem are as follows:

1. Diet: 

Check the feed your chickens are receiving. Make sure it has the right amount of calcium and other necessary ingredients. To increase calcium intake, think about adding crushed eggshells or oyster shells to their diet.

2. Look for Stress Signs: 

Evaluate the living circumstances of your hens. Keep an eye out for symptoms of stress, including as changes in behavior, tiredness, or feather picking. Take care of any environmental elements that could be upsetting.

3. Examine Sunlight Exposure: 

 Make sure your hens get enough sunlight exposure if they are usually housed inside. In order to support their physical and emotional well being, think about creating an appropriate outdoor area where they can wander and graze.

Read also:HOW TO PREVENT HEAT STRESS IN POULTRY

Putting Solutions Into Practice

i). Optimize Diet:

 Increase the amount of calcium in the chicken feed. Adding crushed eggshells or oyster shells as a supplement can be a useful approach to supply extra calcium.

ii). Vitamin D Supplementation: 

 Make sure your chickens get enough vitamin D from their food or from being outside in the sun. See a veterinarian if necessary to ascertain the suitable supplementation with vitamin D.

iii). Decrease Stressors:

 Find and remove any stressful situations in the surroundings of your hens. Make sure the coop is roomy, has nesting boxes, and is cozy to establish a safe and stress-free environment.

iv). Keep an eye on Elderly chickens: 

 As chickens get older, their dietary needs could alter and their capacity to properly absorb calcium might decline. Keep a regular eye on the elder hens’ health and egg output.

If their needs change, think about switching them to a special feed designed for seniors, which usually has modified calcium levels and other vital minerals.

See a veterinarian if you observe a drop in the quality of the eggshells. You may want to look into extra supplements or dietary changes tailored to older hens.

Strategies to Avoid Long-Term Egg Health Problems

Establishing a preventive strategy is essential to preserving the long-term health of your flock’s eggs, in addition to treating the urgent causes of soft egg laying.

• Appropriate Diet:

Make sure the food your hens are fed is complete and well-balanced. Strong eggshells can be produced by using high-quality layer feed supplemented with calcium sources like as crushed eggshells or oyster shells. Consider their age and seasonal fluctuations while reviewing and updating their food on a regular basis.

• Veterinary Exams:

Plan on seeing a poultry veterinarian on a regular basis to keep an eye on the general well-being of your flock. These examinations can assist in detecting possible abnormalities before they become concerns with the quality of the eggs. A veterinarian can offer customized guidance based on your hens’ particular requirements.

• Enhancement of the Environment:

Provide opportunities for your hens’ natural activities, such dust bathing, scratching, and foraging, to enhance their surroundings. Their physical and emotional health are also improved, which improves egg production.

• Water intake:

Make sure your hens always have access to fresh, clean water. It’s critical to be properly hydrated for general health and can have a big impact on the quality of eggs. Make sure your flock is getting enough water to avoid dehydration, which can cause softer eggshells.

• Frequent Upkeep and Cleaning:

Maintaining a clean and well-maintained coop will reduce the chance of diseases. Clean nesting boxes on a regular basis, change the bedding, and take care of any ventilation problems. A hygienic and cozy home environment encourages better egg production.

• Maintaining Records:

Keep track of the changes in your hens’ food, laying patterns, and any noteworthy occurrences in their surroundings. You can find potential patterns and correlations with the aid of this material. influencing egg quality and supporting preventive management.

Read also:COMMON MISTAKES THAT NEW CHICKEN KEEPERS MAKE AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

When to Get Expert Assistance

Although this article’s advice can help with typical reasons of soft egg laying, there are some situations that call for expert assistance. See a poultry veterinarian if you continue to see problems after trying the suggested fixes. They can do in-depth inspections, carry out diagnostic procedures, and offer particular advice catered to the particular requirements of your flock.

In summary:

The first step to guaranteeing the long-term health and productivity of your hens is to ascertain the reason for their soft egg production. By treating dietary inadequacies, By controlling external factors and putting preventative measures in place, you may establish a setting that supports robust and healthful egg production.

Recall that every flock is different, so keeping an eye out and taking initiative can help ensure your hens are happy and healthy. You may reap the benefits of a regularly abundant crop of high-quality eggs from your flock with the correct care and attention.