Can you believe we’re already in the middle of summer? If your house is anything like mine, you probably have eggs coming out of your ears! Gathering eggs is one of my favorite chores, but I sometimes get asked by fellow chicken keepers: "Why did my chicken lay a soft egg?" or "Why is my chicken laying soft-shelled eggs?"
If you’re experiencing this with your hens, don’t worry—I’ve got some answers for you!
Why Did My Chicken Lay a Soft Egg?
Hens can lay soft-shelled eggs for several reasons, ranging from their age to nutritional deficiencies or stress. Let’s break down some of the most common causes so you can figure out why your chicken might be laying soft eggs.
Common Reasons for Soft-Shelled Eggs in Chickens
1. Age of Your Hens
One of the most common reasons for chickens laying soft eggs is their age. When young hens, known as pullets, first start laying, it’s normal for their first eggs to be soft. Likewise, as your hens age, older birds can also begin laying more eggs with thin or soft shells.
2. Calcium Deficiency
A key factor in chickens laying soft shell eggs is calcium deficiency. Did you know that about 95% of an eggshell is made of calcium? That means your hens need plenty of calcium in their diet to lay strong, healthy eggs. However, be mindful that too much calcium can make eggshells overly thick, so balance is key.
3. Stress and Illness
Chickens can be prone to stress, which impacts their overall health and egg production. Events like heatwaves, predator attacks or even introducing new chicks to the flock can cause stress that affects eggshell quality. Stress can disrupt your hens’ digestive and immune systems, leading to soft eggs.
For example, in Minnesota, we’ve had days of 93-degree heat this summer, which can be harmful to your flock. Heat stress, predators or any sudden changes in the flock can contribute to your hens laying soft eggs.
4. Nutritional Deficiencies
Your hens’ diet plays a huge role in the quality of their eggs. A lack of vital nutrients like phosphorous, selenium, and vitamins D, E and B12 can lead to soft-shelled eggs. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that they’re getting the right amount of protein. Too much protein can negatively impact the quality of their eggs.
My Best Advice for Strong, Healthy Eggs
Now that we’ve covered the reasons why chickens lay soft-shelled eggs, let’s talk about how to prevent it. Here’s what works for my flock!
I make sure to give my hens Chicken E-lixir in their drinking water every day. Think of it like giving your kids a daily multivitamin—it’s that important. I’ve been using Chicken E-lixir with my flock since the day I brought them home, and we haven’t had issues with soft eggshells.
The Benefits of Chicken E-lixir
Chicken E-lixir is a natural way to keep your chickens healthy by supporting their immune system and promoting digestive health. It contains a blend of organic oregano essential oil, prebiotics, calcium and vitamins D & E, along with electrolytes to ensure your flock lays strong, healthy eggs.
One of the best things about Chicken E-lixir is that it provides high-quality calcium. The calcium lactate in the product is human food-grade quality and is perfectly balanced to ensure your hens get just the right amount to produce strong eggshells.
How to Use Chicken E-lixir
It’s super easy to use. Just mix one capful of Chicken E-lixir with one gallon of drinking water. One bottle will make up to 32 gallons of water, making it both affordable and practical. In addition to Chicken E-lixir, I feed my chickens a high-quality layer crumble, provide fresh water and give them the occasional treat. I also offer oyster shells on an as-needed basis.
As a result, my hens are happy, healthy, and laying strong eggs—even in the middle of their molting season.
Extra Tips for Combating Heat Stress and Soft Eggs
If you’re dealing with summer heat, like the 90+ degree days we’ve had, you might notice more soft eggs due to heat stress. A fun way to help your flock cool down is with Flock Fixer Frozen Treats.
Flock Fixer is a vitamin-rich water additive designed to rehydrate and restore nutrients to heat-stressed chickens. I’ve been using Flock Fixer and Chicken E-lixir with my flock, and I can tell you—they’re lifesavers during hot summer days. Check out my video on how to make my famous Flock Fixer Frozen Treats to help your flock stay cool and healthy.
Happy, Healthy Chickens Lay Strong Eggs
By giving my chickens Chicken E-lixir daily and making sure they have fresh water, a balanced diet and a stress-free environment, we’ve avoided soft-shelled eggs entirely. My flock is thriving, and I have more eggs than I know what to do with—which is definitely a “problem” I don’t mind having!
Q&A: Common Questions
Q: Can I use Chicken E-lixir and Flock Fixer with other birds like turkeys or ducks?
A: Absolutely! Chicken E-lixir and Flock Fixer are safe for all types of backyard flocks, except exotic birds. So whether you have chickens, turkeys, or ducks, these products will help keep your birds healthy and laying strong eggs.
Until next time,
– The Wing Lady
Chicken E-lixir - Daily Vitamin for Chickens
Chicken E-lixir is added to drinking water as a daily vitamin for keeping chickens healthy by promoting digestive health. For everyday use, it contains a unique blend of organic oregano essential oil, prebiotics, calcium, vitamins D & E and electrolytes.
Flock Fixer - Hydrate & Restore Health During Times of Challenge
You can’t always see it, but your flock will experience a weakened immune system during times of challenge. Flock Fixer is a vitamin-rich additive that helps hydrate, restore vital nutrients and balance digestive health.