I have nine laying hens and one cockerel. They live a very happy life, free ranging over 10 acres of my pasture land, have organic layers pellets to eat, plus kitchen scraps. I am getting 4-6 eggs per day, this varies according to season etc. Just within the last week, for the first time ever, it appears that one of my "girls" has started laying soft shelled eggs, I am getting one about every other day. I dont understand why just one chicken would start this, nothing has changed in their lifestyle or diet - have had my chickens for 16 months and never had this problem before. Any ideas why this might have started happening, please, I dont know what to do (and dont know which chicken is doing this either!) Thanks.

Catherine, Has one of your good friends suddenly announced a health problem? Same with chickens. Her system has a problem, maybe not enough calcium absorbtion from her diet (assume she has oystershell--free choice, available at all times.) Sometimes when a young bird has used up her available calcium (that is a simplified explaination) she simply cannot put a shell on her egg. But sometimes there is an infection or flaw in the uterus( or shell gland)--the last part of the production of an egg, and the part that takes the longest. If it continues, you will find out which hen, as she may be staying on the nest a little longer, or be appearing depressed and hunched, trying to lay the egg with a soft shell, as it does not move down the canal easily and can be painful until it is layed-=-sometimes on the roost, sometimes on the floor of the coop, where it is vulnerable to bing eaten by the other hens. It may correct itself, maybe there will be a very thin shelled egg or two before she can resume normal production--or sometimes hens just "wear out" sooner than others. Just be sure she has Oystershell! Good luck, CJR

Thanks very much - will do all you suggest, and see what happens.