Bantam layed soft egg

[josaphine32]

Hi, Can anyone give me any advice on why my bantam has laid me a soft egg, she started to lay 2 weeks ago all has been fine one a day at tea time, but tonight she has laid me a very soft and squidgy egg, she is on layers pellets, but i must say i do spoil them with a handful of cornflakes and 1/2 weetabix in the morning, and at night they always have a variety of fresh veggies, they are eating the layers pelletts but i do scatter the floor with them as they prefer to scratch for them than get them from the bowl, they come out free range in my garden during the day under supervision,

[kira000]

Hope this helps:

"Soft-shelled eggs

The first pullet egg may be soft-shelled until her system gets into its stride. If it continues, make sure that the birds are getting a balanced diet such as that provided by a commercial free-range or organic layer�s ration. Such feeds will usually contain calcium and phosphorus in the right ratio (around 3.5-4% calcium to 0.3% phosphorus). Providing a little crushed oyster-shell or calcified seaweed will ensure that any deficiency is rectified, for the birds will not take more than they require.

A shock can also make a hen lay a soft-shelled egg. My own observations are that if a flock is caught in a sudden shower of rain (for they are sometimes too dim to run for shelter), a few soft-shelled eggs are often produced the next day, but by the following day, they�re back to normal.

It is when soft-shelled eggs or misshapen ones are produced regularly that there need be a cause for concern. Veterinary advice should be sought. Conditions that adversely affect eggs include Newcastle disease (a notifiable disease to the authorities) and Infectious bronchitis, but there would be disease symptoms showing in the birds themselves if either of these was present. Hybrids are normally vaccinated against them.

Egg drop syndrome (EDS) is also a viral infection that results in a reduced number of eggs, as well as an increased number of pale-shelled eggs. Birds do recover from it but egg production may not get back to its previous level and there may still be a proportion of deformed ones produced. It can be vaccinated against. "

[spudqueen]

If it continues get some grit - you should be able to buy it where you buy your layers pellets from.

[Schutzengel]

Agree with Spudqueen, provide some fine grit (available from your food supplier), and this will probably solve the problem, as perhaps they are getting too much soft food. Perhaps you could cut down a bit on the treats, particularly the vegetables. Hope all goes well.