Help! My chicken…
Soft-shelled eggs: why they happen (and the fixes that work)
A one-off soft egg happens. Repeated soft eggs usually mean diet, stress, or an older hen. Start with basics before you buy ten supplements.
Brutal truth: If half their calories are treats, shell quality will eventually show you the bill.
Calcium
Vitamin D
Stress
Young/older hens
First: when it’s urgent
If you see any of the below, stop Googling and get proper help (urgent vet / poultry expert):
- Straining, repeated nest-box visits, or obvious discomfort.
- Blood, discharge, or a bird that suddenly becomes lethargic.
- Soft eggs plus other illness signs (not eating/drinking).
- Multiple birds producing abnormal eggs suddenly.
- You suspect an egg is stuck or there’s a serious reproductive issue.
Safety note: This is not veterinary advice. If your gut says “this bird is really unwell”, trust that and escalate.
Quick checks (60 seconds)
- Is layers feed the main diet (available all day)?
- Do they have free-choice calcium (oyster shell) separate from feed?
- Are treats/corn heavy right now (diluting nutrition)?
- Is she very young (just started laying) or older (shell quality declines)?
- Any big stress recently (predator scare, move, bullying)?
- Are eggs being laid in clean, calm nest boxes?
Likely causes (the usual suspects)
- Calcium imbalance (not enough available calcium).
- Diet diluted by treats/greens/bread instead of layers feed.
- Stress (especially predator stress, bullying, changes).
- Young birds at point-of-lay (systems still stabilising).
- Older hens with declining shell quality.
- Temporary blip after illness, heat, or disruption.
What to do today
- Reset to layers feed as the foundation and reduce treats for a week.
- Offer free-choice calcium (separate dish) and keep it topped up.
- Ensure constant clean water — dehydration affects egg formation.
- Reduce stress: secure the run and resolve bullying/overcrowding.
- If the hen shows discomfort/straining or soft eggs persist: seek poultry/avian vet advice.
Prevent it next time
- Use the Nutrition guide to keep treats as treats (not half the diet).
- Fix stress and space with the Run size guide and calculator.
- Keep nest boxes clean so you notice changes quickly: cleaning routine.
- Track changes and costs over time — the UK cost calculator helps you plan realistically.
- For a simple routine log, see The Chicken Keeper’s Diary.