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Posted by Rachel in WA on 11/7/2009, 3:05 pm, in reply to "Re: What causes a brown-egg-laying hen to start laying thin-shelled white eggs?"
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Sometimes a "jelly egg" or shell-less egg just happens. It is usually due to a disruption in part of the production of the egg and it can have to do with stress, as mentioned, or genetic factors. On the other hand, you should never rely on the feed to provide enough calcium for your birds. Always provide a separate hopper of crushed oyster shell separate from the feed so that the hens can get what they need. Some may hardly use it at all, some may seem to be actually eating out of it. The reason it's so important is less because of the irritating lack of shells on the eggs, as it is to healthy birds. When there is not enough calcium for the shells their bodies begin to leach it from the bones. Also, the leathery eggs can break on the way down and become twisted in the duct and cause infection, obstruction or even an inverted ova-duct. Usually it's no big deal if it happens once in a while, but if it's happening a lot get those girls more calcium! Good luck!
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