Are these eggs?

[Lucylou]

Morning all,

My young chooks haven't started laying yet but I'm sure the Maran is definitely thinking about it despite the bad weather, poor light etc. She squats down when stroked on the back, has been in & out of nesting box that sort of thing.

I was given 2 laying hens (a swap for my cockerels ) who surprisingly, have given me 1 egg most days since they arrived a week ago.

Now, over the last 3 days on 2 occasions,I have had a shell less egg in the nesting box, at least I think that's what it is ( a wobbly sac, pale pinkish). I know young chooks do have practice eggs sometimes until they get the hang of it, do you all think that's what these are or is it more likely from my layers & due to something else?

Thanks everyone.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi LucyLou,
They do sound like shell-less eggs.The main causes of this are when a young hen starts to lay,the egg can pass through her egg laying system too quickly for the shell to be formed around the egg,but,it can also happen with older hens before they stop laying for the winter or are moulting or both.
I'm afraid I can't hazard a guess as to which of your hens it is,although when moulting one of my ex-batts who was laying started to lay eggs with a thinner shell,and after a while despite me increasing calcium,vit D and protein she did lay some completely shell-less eggs.So from that,if you havn't noticed the shells actually getting thinner,they are most likely from your younger hen who hadn't got into the swing of laying.

 

[snifter]

Just to add, squatting down when you stroke a hen is a sign of them being a bit afraid. I'm sure as her confidence increases and she becomes more used to you handling her she'll settle and not do this any more.

 

[Lucylou]

That's interesting snifter, I have been wondering about the squatting. This chook was very friendly when younger even sitting on my lap, she'll still eat from my hand but not too keen on being stroked. Something must have spooked her, I'll have to be careful around her & gain her confidence again.

Thanks Lydia, I didn't know that older hens can sometimes lay these shell less eggs too. Could be that. Got a proper egg today though!!

 

[Anonymous]

My ex-bats have all taken to squatting with their wings slightly out when I go to pick them up.They also didn't used to do this,my bantams and RIR don't :? .
I just carry on talking to them and pick them up anyway,still talking softly to them.I don't believe for one minute they are scared of me,I think they are just saying with their body language 'hey,I'm busy,don't pick me up now' I do still pick them up because I like to think I'm top hen and in charge :lol: .
Once I'm holding them and talking to them they settle well(don't struggle or flap)so I'm not too worried by it.
It does look like a 'scared' look as they are in a defensive position,but,all my hens come to me,climb on me etc so I don't think they are scared of me,just adopting a typical pose at something coming down from above like a bird of prey.

Really pleased you got a shelled egg again,it did take 2 weeks for my ex-batt from start of thin shelled to be back to hard shelled.

 

[Anonymous]

bit of a late reply but i only just got here .. the squatting.. erm .. its the hens way of letting you... the alpha cockrel.. know she has eggs that need fertilising :roll: ..
soft eggs.. normally its when my hens forego the calcium rich layers pellets and are pigging out on fresh veg & treats..
gary

 

[Anonymous]

thanks for that Gary,always good to get more information.

 

[Lucylou]

Thaks Gary,

What you say does make sense as I've now got 2 others all starting to lay for the first time & one of them is doing this too!