Soft, this or entirely missing egg shells (referred to as shell-less eggs) can be quite a common occurrence in older birds, especially as they come out or into lay for the season. A soft or thin shelled egg is one that includes a membrane but has no shell.


Causes of Soft or Thin Shelled Eggs


Here are some common reasons that your hens may be laying shell-less or thin shelled eggs. list doesn’t cover all situations but includes the majority of common cases.


Good Genes


Good genes are usually the main candidates for soft, thin or shell-less eggs. For example hybrid chickens have been selectively bred to lay dozens and hundreds of eggs, it’s believed that they are producing eggs faster than their system can shell them. The usual 'shelling process' takes approximately 24 hours. Yet there has been reports of hens producing a perfect egg followed by a shell-less egg in under 12 hours. Regarding hybrids chickens and the link to thin or shell-less eggs, it begs to ask the question that perhaps we've pushed mother nature too far in the quest for more eggs?


Hot Days


Shell-less or thin egg shells can occur significantly more frequently during hot summer days. This can be associated with a decrease in food intake. The shell thickness will return to normal when the temperature significantly drops and your hens food intake returns to normal.


Insufficient Shell-forming Materials


This is evidently the most obvious cause. Poor shells can occur if your chickens aren't supplied with sufficient shell forming material (this is mainly in the form of calcium). Chickens can obtain calcium into the diets from soluble grit called Oyster shell grit. This grit should be supplied either by itself or in a 'mixed grit' which provides your chickens with flint grit for their digestion too.
Old Age


A majority of chickens are more than likely to lay soft egg shells as they age. Once chickens reach 4 or 5 years old, it can be common to discover that they begin to lay eggs with soft shells.


Insufficient Protein


Chickens are required to receive a correct level of protein in their daily diet as well as a variety of minerals and vitamins. Vitamin D3 is used for the hens metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, this enables your chickens to be able to form egg shells along with taking care of their own bones and keeping them strong. Vitamin D can be found within Cod Liver Oil, however chickens shouldn't usually require it if they are fed the correct formulated feed, and have plenty of sunshine on their backs.


Overweight and Obese Hens


Hens that are overweight or obese can prevent the production of eggs altogether. Alternatively obesity in chickens can produce lower quality eggs, and even sometimes with entirely missing shells. To see if your chicken could be overweight, check the breast of your bird, when the feathers are parted, there should be visible thin skin (similar to tracing paper) where the breast bone of the bird protrudes forward. If the skin is thick, or you unable to see the breastbone clearly, it may be that your chicken is overweight.


A guaranteed way to ensure that your hen is receiving the correct and best diet is to use a balanced feed while also including supplements of greens. This allows your hen to top up with the important things she needs at the peak of her egg production.


If your chickens are allowed to be free range on grass or ground then this is significantly better than any vitamin supplement. Your birds will be able to pick up a lot of the extra vitamins and minerals that they require and will be a lot less vulnerable to health problems along with preventing soft shelled eggs.