Have you ever gone to collect eggs and found what looks like a water balloon in your nesting box? I remember the first time I discovered a shell-less egg in my coop – it completely freaked me out! But don’t worry this strange phenomenon is actually quite common in backyard flocks. Let’s dive into why chickens sometimes lay eggs without shells and what you can do about it.
What Exactly Is a Shell-less Egg?
A shell-less egg isn’t technically completely without protection These eggs have the inner and outer membranes intact but lack the hard calcium shell we normally associate with eggs They feel rubbery or squishy to touch, and you can often see the yolk inside. Some people call them “rubber eggs” because of their strange texture.
These eggs are different from thin-shelled eggs, which have a shell but one that’s much thinner and more fragile than normal. Both issues stem from similar causes, though.
Common Causes of Shell-less Eggs
Several factors can cause your hens to lay eggs without proper shells
1. Calcium Deficiency
This is probably the most common reason for shell-less eggs. Eggshells are approximately 95% calcium carbonate, so your hen needs plenty of calcium to form proper shells.
Calcium deficiency can happen because:
- Your chickens aren’t getting enough calcium in their diet
- They can’t properly absorb the calcium they’re consuming
- They’re using calcium for other bodily functions instead of eggshell formation
2. Age Factors
Both very young and older hens are prone to laying shell-less eggs:
Young Pullets
When pullets first start laying, their reproductive systems are still developing. The first few eggs might come out without shells as their bodies are figuring out the whole egg-laying process. This usually resolves itself as the hen matures.
Older Hens
As hens age (especially hybrid layers past 3-4 years), their ability to produce well-formed eggs often decreases. The calcium absorption becomes less efficient, and the reproductive system doesn’t function as well as it once did.
3. Heat Stress
Hot weather is a major culprit behind shell-less eggs, especially during summer heat waves. When chickens get too hot:
- They eat less feed (reducing calcium intake)
- Their biological processes get disrupted
- They become stressed (which affects egg formation)
I’ve noticed in my own flock that shell quality often decreases during July and August when temperatures soar.
4. Other Stress Factors
Chickens are sensitive creatures, and various stressors can impact egg quality:
- Predator threats
- Changes in the coop or flock
- Moving to a new location
- Bullying within the flock
- Loud noises or disturbances
5. Egg Production Speed
Some high-production laying hens (especially hybrid breeds) lay eggs faster than their bodies can shell them! The normal “shelling process” takes about 20 hours, but some hens produce eggs so quickly that the shell doesn’t have time to form properly.
6. Health Issues
Sometimes, shell-less eggs indicate health problems:
- Inflammation of the oviduct
- Infectious bronchitis
- Egg Drop Syndrome
- Newcastle disease
7. Improper Nutrition
Beyond just calcium, hens need a balance of nutrients to produce proper eggshells:
- Vitamin D3 (needed to metabolize calcium)
- Phosphorus (works with calcium for shell formation)
- Protein (essential for overall egg production)
How to Fix the Shell-less Egg Problem
Now that we know why this happens, let’s look at how to address it:
1. Boost Calcium Intake
The easiest solution is often to increase calcium availability:
- Provide oyster shell grit – Make this available free-choice in a separate container so hens can take what they need
- Feed crushed eggshells – Clean, dry, and crush your own eggshells to feed back to your flock
- Check your feed – Ensure you’re using a quality layer feed with proper calcium levels (not grower feed, which has less calcium)
2. Reduce Heat Stress
During hot weather:
- Provide plenty of shade
- Ensure constant access to cool, fresh water
- Add frozen treats or ice to water on extremely hot days
- Improve ventilation in the coop
- Consider adding juicy treats like watermelon to help with hydration
3. Minimize Stress
- Keep a consistent routine
- Protect your flock from predators
- Provide adequate space to reduce bullying
- Maintain a good rooster-to-hen ratio if you keep roosters
- Add apple cider vinegar to water to help with stress (1 tablespoon per gallon)
4. Balance Diet
- Limit treats to 10% of diet (especially corn, which is low in protein)
- Ensure hens have access to quality layer feed at all times
- Provide opportunities for foraging if possible
- Avoid feeding too many kitchen scraps that might unbalance their diet
5. Consider Supplements
- Vitamin D3 supplements (especially in winter when sunlight is limited)
- Balanced poultry vitamin mixes
- Probiotics to improve gut health and nutrient absorption
When to Be Concerned
Finding a shell-less egg occasionally is usually no big deal. However, you should be concerned if:
- Multiple hens are laying shell-less eggs
- The problem persists for more than a week despite dietary changes
- The hen shows other signs of illness (lethargy, decreased appetite, abnormal droppings)
- You notice blood or other abnormalities in the shell-less eggs
In these cases, consulting with a poultry veterinarian might be necessary.
My Personal Experience
Last summer, my best layer (a Rhode Island Red named Ruby) started laying shell-less eggs during a particularly hot week. I immediately added extra oyster shell to their diet, froze some water bottles to place in the coop, and made sure they had plenty of shade during the hottest parts of the day.
Within about three days, her eggs returned to normal. Sometimes the solution really is that simple!
Final Thoughts
Finding a shell-less egg can be startling, but in most cases, it’s a temporary issue with straightforward solutions. By ensuring proper nutrition, reducing stress, and creating a comfortable environment for your flock, you’ll likely see your chickens back to laying perfect eggs in no time.
Remember that the occasional shell-less egg is normal, especially during seasonal transitions or when pullets first start laying. It’s nature’s way of reminding us that our backyard chickens are complex biological systems, not egg-laying machines!
Have you experienced shell-less eggs in your flock? What solutions worked best for you? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
When Did It Stop?
Finally, five days after finding the first strange egg, things returned to normal. We got eight perfect eggs in one day without any problems and they continued to lay without further issues.
Remedies for Eggs with No Shell
Make sure hens are getting enough calcium. They don’t like the white nugget “oyster shell” from the feed store. I give flaked oyster shell and their own egg shells crushed and fed back to them.
Monitor Pets, Visitors, and Predators. Your hens may be visited by a hawk, a stray dog or children who are chasing the chickens as soon as your back is turned. (We have water balloon eggs laid almost every time children visit and chase the chickens to pet them!) These stressors are temporary and a hen who laid an abnormal egg should resume normal laying once she has calmed down.
Water Balloon Eggs May be Age Related. Young hens who just began laying are prone to leaving these in the nest box as her body adjusts. Older hens are less likely to lay water balloon eggs but it can happen!
Shell-Less Eggs Do NOT Mean Your Hen is Sick. The egg simply did not spend enough time in the shell gland and was laid before the calcium shell was applied. If you’re worried, offering your flock a mineral-rich rehydration drink can ensure they receive a dose of body-balancing vitamins.
Calcium Rich Treats Can Also Help. Fresh greens and just-picked, unsprayed yard weeds are a good source of calcium. Offering your hens tomatoes and kale can help keep the nest box full of beautifully normal eggs. A chicken grazing garden can also be a great way to ensure you have a steady supply of fresh greens or garden clippings for your flock.
Soft Shelled Eggs?
FAQ
Why is my chicken laying eggs without a shell?
In conclusion, the reason your chicken is laying eggs without a shell or membrane is that it is not consuming enough calcium. To combat this, crush some clean chicken shells into a powder and add this to the birds feed. You can also purchase commercially produced calcium-enriched chicken feed, if this does not work take your chicken to the vet.
Why do chickens have no shells?
Yes, calcium deficiency is a common cause of shell-less eggs. Hens require calcium to form strong shells, and if their diet lacks adequate calcium, their eggs may have thin or no shells. 4. How can I provide enough calcium to my chickens?
Why do hens lay shellless eggs?
Chickens need a lot of calcium to create good, hard shells, so most incidences of shell-less eggs in an adult hens are related to not having enough calcium in the diet. Young hens may lay a shell-less egg or two right as they begin to lay eggs for the first time, before their systems have “gotten into the groove” of laying.
Can a chicken lay eggs without a shell?
No, it is not normal for a chicken to lay an egg without a shell. Healthy hens should lay eggs with intact shells. However, occasional shell-less eggs can happen but should not be a regular occurrence. 3. Can a lack of calcium cause shell-less eggs? Yes, calcium deficiency is a common cause of shell-less eggs.
Why do hens have thin shells?
It’s mainly caused by a calcium deficiency. Calcium makes up a large portion of the eggshell, so your hens need a lot of calcium to lay eggs. Without enough calcium, their bodies will either produce very thin shells or be unable to produce a shell at all. Vitamin D deficiency. Without vitamin D, the body can’t properly absorb calcium.
When do hens lay shell-less eggs?
Young hens may lay a shell-less egg or two right as they begin to lay eggs for the first time, before their systems have “gotten into the groove” of laying. If your girls are on a proper diet of lay ration and have oyster shell free choice, they should have all the calcium they need.
Why do chickens lay eggs with no shell?
Chickens need a lot of calcium to create good, hard shells, so most incidences of shell-less eggs in an adult hens are related to not having enough calcium in the diet. Never fear, the chickens are on a new nutritious Laying Pellet and are being supplemented with oyster shells for added Calcium!
What is a chicken egg with no shell called?
Fairy eggs due to calcium deficiency
Lack of calcium in a hen’s diet can result in funny eggs, such as those laid without a shell or with a very thin shell. As we’ve mentioned, fairy eggs are much smaller than usual and lack a yolk, which a calcium deficiency could contribute to.
Do chickens recover from egg drop syndrome?
There is no successful treatment of EDS. The classical form has been eradicated from primary breeders and the maintenance of EDS-free breeding stock is the main control measure. In layers, induced moulting will restore egg production after an episode of EDS infection.
How do I stop my chickens from laying soft shelled eggs?
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.Nov 6, 2024