I have some pullits 6 months old one of them started laying a few days ago and I got 6 eggs.one everyday and then yesterday there was an egg that was on the floor that was really soft shelled and no yolk in it,and no egg today but she was in the nest and pulling straw from another nest and putting it in her nest,I just checked and no egg today.The others have not started laying yet only her.Why did this happen and is it common?
why did she stop laying
Hi Green.
A couple of thoughts from me, although I'll still relatively new to this.
1. My first pullet did lay smaller eggs initially and some of them were soft shelled. This is in fact quite common. It seems as if it is their system getting 'revved up' or something. If you have consistent soft shelled eggs, there could be a problem, such as low calcium. But a few soft shelled eggs, especially from a pullet, is not unusual. Also, mine did not start out with an egg every day. Sounds like she started with a real bang - maybe she needs to "catch up" with herself.
2. Ensure that you provide calcium. You don't mention if they free range or not, but especially if not, ensure their feed has supplemental calcium or that you are feeding them crushed oyster shell free choice (i.e. when they want it).
3. They'll all start laying at different times so no worries there. Also since it is turning to fall, shorter days mean less eggs. Might be that some pullets could even wait for spring to start laying.
Bottom line - don't worry about the soft shelled egg unless she keeps laying them for days on end...
Claire
Thanks so much for your answer
You might want to add a light to their coop to increase the daylight hours. I use just a short string of red Christmas lights on a timer and it's enough to keep them laying all winter. Sometimes when they first start laying it can be a bit iregular.
jylgaskin would a red spotlight used for heat have the same effect on them? I'd love to get some eggs this winter. Even one egg a day is welcomed!!
MollyD
Good Idea about the christmas lights would clear lights work or do they have to be red i have clear.
They can actually be any color. I just use red because I had a pecker last year. If you use red, they can't see blood, but she became soup, so I'll probably go back to the multi color. (I have lots of thoes) Someone did a study and even the light of a single candle was enough. I have mine on a timer that comes on at dusk and goes till about 9 or 10.
Yes I am going to put a light in there on a timer.They are pened up but I do let them out about an hour befor dusk sometimes,can`t let them out all the time because of the chicken killing dog I have,he already got one that accidently got out.I had two off the eggs she layed and one was a double yoker and that was only her 5th egg that she had laid.
I suppliment with lights too. Last year I got eggs all winter. A little less, but not by much! I use a 60watt bulb. This year I will add an additinal 60 watt bulb. I also turn on until from dusk and off around 9pm.
I think it sounds like she needs to catch up to herself. One of my three girls just started laying last week. She's been laying consistently one egg every other day.
I too am supplementing light. I have a 20watt fish tank light (its what I had on hand) in a fixture that is mounted to their wall. I have it on a timer that starts right at dusk and goes until 8ish and then it comes on again an hour or so before dawn.
All of you that are supplementing light mentioned just timing it for dusk until later in the evening. Is that just what you choose to do, or did you read something that made you do it that way??? Just curious if I should change.
We're going to use a light through this winter too. We have already started using them on dark and rainy days. We haven't really worried too much about it in the past but now we can't seem to stay caught up with egg sales and need every egg we can get.
green...has your pullet started laying eggs again? Everyone is right, that is perfectly normal behavior for a pullet.
Christy
Lacey must like the light. She laid every other day for the first 4 eggs and now everyday for the last 3. I hope she keeps up with every day, very nice!
Green,
Has she layed again?