Why Are My Hens Laying Soft-Shelled Eggs?

Why are my hens laying soft shelled eggs? An image of a semi transparent soft egg in a nesting box,

Why Are My Hens Laying Soft-Shelled Eggs?

It’s a bit of a shock the first time it happens. You reach into the nest box and instead of a normal egg, you find something soft and a bit rubbery, or worse, nothing but a burst mess. If your hens are laying soft-shelled eggs, it’s a sign that something isn’t quite right.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the most common causes of soft eggshells and explain what you can do to help. Most of the time, the fix is simple, and your hens will be back to laying strong, healthy eggs in no time.


Not enough calcium in the diet

The number one cause of soft-shelled eggs is a lack of calcium. Hens need plenty of it to form strong, protective shells. Without enough calcium, their bodies simply can’t build the shell properly.

Even if they’re on layers’ pellets, they might still fall short, especially if they’re laying daily or getting too many treats. I’ve had hens ignore grit mixed into feed, but once I started offering crushed oyster shell in a separate pot, they took what they needed, and the soft eggs stopped.

What to do:

  • Feed layers’ pellets, not growers or corn-based mixes
  • Offer crushed oyster shell or poultry grit in a separate container
  • Avoid too many low-calcium extras like corn, bread or porridge

Trouble absorbing calcium: vitamin D issues

Even if your hens are eating enough calcium, they might not be absorbing it properly. That’s where vitamin D comes in. Without enough D3, their bodies can’t process calcium efficiently.

In winter, or when hens are kept indoors, they may not get enough natural sunlight to produce vitamin D. Switching to a better feed with added D3 and letting them out for a couple of hours can make all the difference.

What to do:

  • Use a layers’ feed with added vitamin D3 – Heygates Specialist Layers contains 3000 iu of D3 per kg
  • Let hens free range when possible, especially in spring and summer
  • Avoid prolonged confinement in dark coops or covered runs. Use an automated coop door to ensure they have more time outside.

Problems in the shell gland (uterus)

The shell gland (uterus) is the part of the hen’s oviduct where the eggshell is formed. If this gland is damaged or not functioning properly, the shell may come out thin, misshapen or missing entirely.

Some hens are just prone to this, whether it’s due to age, genetics or past illness. I’ve seen hens who have produced soft eggs after recovering from respiratory bugs. Some never go back to laying normal eggs, although the hens themselves remain fit and healthy.

What to do:

  • Support overall health with quality feed and supplements
  • Keep a close eye on hens with repeated shell issues
  • If a hen is healthy but not laying properly, it’s fine to let her retire

Could it be a respiratory infection?

Certain viruses, like infectious bronchitis, can interfere with shell production. While this is less common in small flocks, it does happen. One of the main signs, side from sneezing or watery eyes, s a sudden drop in shell quality, with rough, wrinkled or soft shells showing up.

What to do:

  • Quarantine any hen showing signs of illness
  • Keep housing well ventilated, dry and clean
  • Consult a poultry vet if symptoms persist

Stress can throw off egg formation

Just like us, hens don’t handle stress very well. A move to a new coop, a visit from a fox, bullying in the flock, or even loud noises can be enough to disrupt laying. If the egg is rushed through her system, it might not form a proper shell.

What to do:

  • Keep flock routines steady and calm
  • Watch for bullying and give low-ranking hens places to hide
  • Avoid big changes to the coop unless necessary

Is your hen near the end of her laying days?

Older hens often produce fewer eggs, and sometimes their shells are thinner or softer than they used to be. It’s a natural part of the ageing process, and not something you can “fix” with supplements.

In my experience, hybrids tend to slow down after their second year. Pure breeds might go longer, but soft shells are sometimes a sign that a hen’s laying days are winding down.

What to do:

  • You can’t change nature, unfortunately! As long as she’s happy and healthy, just let her get on with the rest of her life.

Hot weather and soft eggs

When the temperature climbs, hens often eat less and drink more. This can throw off their nutrient intake, especially calcium. The result? Softer shells, or sometimes no shell at all.

We’ve had soft-shelled eggs show up during heat waves, which seem to happen more often these days. However, once the temperatures cooled down and normal eating patterns resumed, things soon got back to normal.

What to do:

  • Keep plenty of cool, fresh water available
  • Provide shade in the run and good airflow in the coop
  • Use frozen bottles, wet towels or shallow trays to cool things down

Worms can steal vital nutrients

Internal parasites, especially roundworms, can rob hens of the nutrients they need to produce good-quality eggs. If your hens are due a worming and you start seeing soft shells, this might be the cause.

What to do:

  • Use Flubenvet, the only licensed wormer in the UK for laying hens
  • Clean the run and coop regularly to avoid reinfection
  • Don’t rely on garlic or herbal treatments, they don’t kill worms

Are soft-shelled eggs safe to eat?

No – the membrane is porous and the egg isn’t protected by a proper shell, making it much more likely to have picked up bacteria. I always bin them; it’s not worth the risk.


Final thoughts

Soft-shelled eggs are usually a sign of something minor: poor diet, lack of calcium, stress, or a young hen still settling in. But they can also point to a deeper issue like illness, worms or ageing. The good news is that most problems are easily fixed once you know what to look for.

I’ve had this happen plenty of times over the years, and in most cases, a few small changes have sorted it. Keep your hens calm, give them the right nutrition and don’t panic if the odd soft egg shows up. Watch for patterns, and if something doesn’t seem right, trust your gut and take action. If your hens have stopped laying completely, our article: Why do chickens stop laying eggs?

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Kevin O'Hara

Kevin O’Hara got his first chickens back in 1972. A backyard chicken keeper based in Yorkshire, he created of KeepingChickens.uk back in 2012. With years of hands-on experience, he shares practical, UK-specific advice to help others care for happy, healthy hens. Learn more about Kevin on the author page.

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