Soft-shelled eggs can be alarming for poultry farmers and backyard chicken keepers alike. These fragile, rubbery eggs often tear or break on contact, leaving you with a mess—and a lot of questions. Why do some chickens lay soft-shelled eggs? Is it a serious health issue or just a temporary blip in egg production?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the science and real-world causes behind soft-shelled eggs, how to treat hens laying them, and how to prevent it from happening in your flock again.
What Is a Soft-Shelled Egg?
A soft-shelled egg is one that lacks a hard calcium carbonate shell. Instead, it may feel rubbery or leathery and be prone to breaking easily. These eggs are typically encased in the membrane that usually sits under the shell, but the hard outer covering never fully forms.
Why Do Chickens Lay Soft-Shelled Eggs?
1. Calcium Deficiency
The most common reason is a lack of available calcium. Hens need calcium to form strong eggshells. Without it, they lay soft or thin-shelled eggs.
Sources of calcium for hens:
- Crushed oyster shell
- Limestone grit
- Calcium supplements mixed in feed
2. Young or Old Age
- Pullets just starting to lay may have underdeveloped reproductive systems that misfire occasionally.
- Older hens nearing the end of their laying cycle may also experience irregular shell development.
3. Stress and Environmental Factors
Stressors like loud noises, predators, extreme temperatures, and overcrowding can interfere with the shell-forming process.
4. Poor Nutrition
Even if calcium is present, an overall poor diet lacking in essential vitamins like D3, phosphorus, and magnesium can disrupt calcium absorption.
5. Illness or Disease
Respiratory infections, oviduct infections, and diseases like infectious bronchitis can disrupt shell formation.
6. Genetics
Some breeds or individual hens may have a genetic predisposition to laying abnormal eggs.
7. Rapid Egg Production
When a hen lays too frequently, her body may not have enough time to produce quality shells between cycles.
Diagnosing the Cause
To understand why a hen is laying soft-shelled eggs:
- Track her diet: Is she getting a complete layer feed with added calcium?
- Observe the flock’s behavior: Is there bullying or stress?
- Check for signs of illness: Respiratory issues, diarrhea, weight loss?
- Review the lighting schedule: Too much artificial lighting can overstimulate egg production.
Prevention and Treatment
1. Improve Calcium Intake
- Offer free-choice oyster shell in a separate container.
- Add crushed eggshells back into their diet after sterilizing.
- Use layer-specific feed containing balanced nutrients.
2. Enhance Vitamin D3 Absorption
Vitamin D3 is essential for calcium absorption.
- Ensure sunlight exposure or provide D3 supplements.
- Check for moldy feed which can block absorption.
3. Reduce Stress
- Provide enough space per bird.
- Keep predators and loud noises away.
- Establish a routine to minimize disruptions.
4. Supportive Housing and Sanitation
- Ensure clean, dry nesting boxes.
- Offer proper roosting space.
- Use dust baths to promote hen hygiene and parasite control.
5. Treat Underlying Illnesses
Consult a vet if you suspect infections or chronic conditions.
- Use antibiotics only under guidance.
- Isolate sick birds to prevent spread.
Is a Soft-Shelled Egg Still Edible?
Technically yes, but it’s better to discard them. The thin or absent shell means bacteria can enter easily, making them unsafe, especially if they’ve broken in the nest.
When to Be Concerned
One soft egg? Likely not a problem. Recurring soft eggs from one hen? Time to investigate. If multiple hens start laying them, evaluate your feed, stress levels, or check for a flock-wide disease.
Common Myths
Myth: Soft eggs mean the hen is dying.
False. It’s often fixable with better nutrition.
Myth: You must cull the hen.
No—most hens recover once the issue is corrected.
Myth: It’s caused by too many roosters.
Not true. Roosters don’t affect egg shell quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I feed back eggshells to my hens?
Yes, but sterilize and crush them first to prevent cannibalism habits.
2. Is soft-shell egg laying painful for hens?
Usually no, but it can be stressful if frequent.
3. Can soft-shelled eggs be incubated?
No—they’re too fragile and risk contamination.
4. Do all hens need oyster shells?
Yes, especially layers. It's a vital calcium source.
5. Can heat cause soft-shelled eggs?
Yes. Heat stress can disrupt calcium metabolism.
6. Will my hen stop laying altogether?
Not necessarily. Addressing the cause often restores normal laying.
7. What age are hens most likely to lay soft eggs?
Pullets (first-time layers) and senior hens.
8. Can I fix soft-shell eggs with diet changes alone?
Often yes, unless it’s due to disease or genetics.
9. Are brown egg layers more likely to lay soft eggs?
Not specifically. It varies by individual, not egg color.
10. Should I quarantine a hen laying soft eggs?
Only if illness is suspected. Otherwise, observe and improve diet.
Conclusion
Soft-shelled eggs are usually a sign that something in your hen’s environment, diet, or health is off. While they can be startling, most cases are easy to fix with a proper nutritional boost, a stress-free environment, and attentive care.
Understanding the root causes gives you a practical, science-backed way to restore your flock’s health and laying strength. And next time you spot a rubbery egg—don’t panic. Use it as a clue and take action before it becomes a bigger issue.