Hen has started laying white banded eggs

Hello! Newby, looking forward to being part of "Like Minds". I have an interesting situation. For several days now, I have had an 11 month old Cinnamon Queen, "Bubbles", that has started laying white banded eggs. For several days, she has laid them, some are soft, some not. One day, she laid one on the ground outside the coop. Sometimes, I find them in the coop, like they fell as she roosted. She has completely skipped laying anything for 3 days and today, she laid two white banded eggs in one day, in the nest. I only have one other hen, as I lost 3 to coyotes more than 3 months ago. "Bella" is an Australorp and the dominant hen. Her eggs are completely normal. I have two chicks who are old enough that I have been slowly introducing them to the older ones over the past few days with no apparent problems. Bubbles seems very healthy and I use no artificial lighting. I am having suspicions that Bella is hogging the nest and causing Bubbles to be stressed and "holding It"...ha! I Often find her running around the coop squawking because Bella is sitting on the nest. I have two nest boxes but for some reason, they both prefer the one. What can I do, if anything, to get Bubbles to chill or get them to use the other box? Is it possible the chicks are causing the stress?

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

It is very likely the alpha hen is making Bubbles life miserable. Hen's do like the same nest box though. They like to use a box that someone else used - probably figuring THAT is THE box to use. Do you put crushed oyster shell out in a separate cup so the hens can take it freely if they need more calcium? Are they getting layer feed?

I can't come up with an answer to de- stress Bubbles. I think you would do better posting at Raising Backyard Chickens - menu will open to the right ,choose "chicken behaviors and egg laying.

Welcome to BYC !!

Yes, I supplement their feed occasionally with oyster shell. Thank you, your right, my bad. The "new member" thingy popped up first. I will change to "behaviors, egg laying" section. Forgive me, I'm new!

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

aterrel said:

Yes, I supplement their feed occasionally with oyster shell. Thank you, your right, my bad. The "new member" thingy popped up first. I will change to "behaviors, egg laying" section. Forgive me, I'm new!

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I would keep a bowl of oyster shell available free-choice. Occasionally might not be enough. Stress could be part of the problem, too, and adding new members to the flock can be stressful. Try to offer some healthy treats (fresh fruits and veggies, greens, maybe a flock block) to keep them distracted during the day and make the transition easier.

Thanks. Hmm, OK, free choice makes more sense.