I have 11 dual-purpose hens who have just started laying eggs. They will be 20 weeks old on September the 5th so I figure they are actually laying early. The problem is only one egg out of 7 has been hard & normal. The rest are like a soft membrane for the shell. I have them on layer mash (which has oyster shell in it & the feed store fellow told me thats all they'd need)and I also have 3 Silkies which the hens are fed the same feed. They have laid 20 eggs to date and they are all great (not to include my one Silke is setting on a dozen eggs!). What am I doing wrong?
Is this normal when they first start laying?
Also, they seem to be laying them while perched on the roost, even though they have great nest boxex in which one of the dual hens has made a great nest! Yes, that means broken eggs in the straw while they are laying them. I need advice, anyone who can help me I appreciate it!

You have a real problem, and one that can happen if your pullets were fed a Lay Ration before they actually began to lay eggs. Lay Ration may stimulate ovulation. Their system is trying to turn out eggs before the little girls are mature enough. The eggs are being layed before the shell gland is developed (the last part to be put on the egg before laying.) The reason they are dropped on the roost (or anywhere) is because the soft shell does not slide down the Oviduct as a hard shell does, and it takes a lot longer to emerge. The little hens do not know this, the egg just "happens". They may even have been on the nest for what to them is a reasonable time for the egg to emerge. Also, it can be painful during its travel and you may find pullets kind of standing, maybe a little humped--and very uncomfortable. If they were mine, I would put them back on Start and Grow Ration for another month--or two, then hopefully they may (or may not)be able to develop normal eggs. And while the layer mash does have finely ground oyster shell in it, it is not enough for a family flock that you intend to keep for more than a year. It is okay for the commercial layers that are only kept in production for a year--it is not important for them--but is not enough calcium for a healthy long term producer. Don't know what the prognosis will be for long term--have heard of it, but never experienced it. While it is not unusual for one pullet in a flock to start this way, it is not good news to have so many. Still, be hopeful that their systems will mature and that their eggs will soon be normally put together! I keep my pullets on Start and Grow for quite a while after they begin to lay. Good luck,CJR

Heidi,

Get going on oyster shell and also add some vitamins to their water for a week or so. It will take time but see if you don't have some improvement within a couple of weeks. Also, crush up eggs shells and give them to them.

I had 2 of 5 hens doing this and they did indeed grow out of it, or else the added oyster shell and vitamins helped. Not sure which but the problem faded. It is odd that you have so many doing it, but it very well may clear up soon.

Good luck!
Susie