3 year old silkie egg troubles

[hollandhens24]

I have a 3 year old silkie who has just started experiencing egg problems. She has been a very reliable layer of about 5 eggs a week, is the first one out of the coop and last one in, second in our pecking order, and always first to get to the table scraps. She laid a thin shelled egg about a week ago and I suspected it was due to switching from layer feed to starter feed to accommodate my little chick in the flock. The hens are getting egg shells for calcium, but maybe need oyster shell also? I have since started offering the layer feed again to see if this helps. She then laid a rubber egg the next day. She has not laid another egg since (about 5 days) and she had yellow on her bottom, like maybe an egg had broken. I have soaked her twice to try and help if she is egg bound. I cannot feel any hardness and, until today, she was getting in the box, sitting for a time, then joining the flock free ranging. Today she has not left the box. There is not a vet in my area who will treat chickens. What kinds of things should I be doing for her?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She then laid a rubber egg the next day. She has not laid another egg since (about 5 days) and she had yellow on her bottom, like maybe an egg had broken.

Today she has not left the box.

I would give her 300mg Calcium Citrate+D3 now, then once daily for 7days, she if she expels and egg or lash material.

Do you have photos of her poop?

Feeding the flock chick starter or an all flock feed is common practice when you have chicks within a flock, just provide oyster shell free choice for the actively laying pullets/hens.

 

[hollandhens24]

I would give her 300mg Calcium Citrate+D3 now, then once daily for 7days, she if she expels and egg or lash material.

Do you have photos of her poop?

Feeding the flock chick starter or an all flock feed is common practice when you have chicks within a flock, just provide oyster shell free choice for the actively laying pullets/hens.

I don’t have photos of her poop, but I noticed yesterday after she soaked in the tote she had a very normal looking poop. I had hoped she was about to lay an egg/clear whatever material she may have, but it was just a poop I will absolutely pick up calcium tomorrow and give it to her!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I don’t have photos of her poop, but I noticed yesterday after she soaked in the tote she had a very normal looking poop. I had hoped she was about to lay an egg/clear whatever material she may have, but it was just a poop I will absolutely pick up calcium tomorrow and give it to her!

How is she doing?

 

[hollandhens24]

How is she doing?

She seems completely fine. I am puzzled, to put it mildly. I have only had chickens for three years, so I am constantly learning, but I really did not expect to have my ladies throw me so many curve balls all of a sudden. If I hadn't seen the thin shelled egg and rubber egg, I wouldn't think my hen was sick, just suddenly broody. She has been climbing in any box that has eggs in it, and even moved to the box with a golf ball in it when I had collected all the eggs today. She got off the nest to eat and drink, then went right back to it. I am second guessing whether the rubber egg was from her, or from one of my pullets who is just getting going. I am even starting to wonder if the thin shelled egg was from a pullet, especially because it would be so unlike this silkie hen to lay a funky egg AND the mother of two of my pullets has thin shelled eggs. If you're wondering why I kept pullets out of this hen... partial foolishness and a hint of attachment, as this was my first year hatching. I also noticed that one of my other chickens had yellow on her from a broken egg in the box (the thin shelled egg layer's). I have so many questions and I am starting to understand why people have cameras in their coop.

I have raised beef cattle and horses my whole life-- so far chickens are the most confusing livestock I have raised. I am also 9 months pregnant, so I am constantly second guessing everything right now. If this wasn't my favorite chicken I don't think I would be reading into everything and would just take it day by day.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm glad she's doing fine!

You may be right, that the eggs were from pullets coming into lay. Sometimes new layers can have some glitches.

Oh, chickens can be quite a puzzle at times, there's always something to learn. Keeps it interesting!

If she's doing o.k., and not showing any signs of distress, I'd go by your advice and take it day by day.

Congratulations! I hope all goes very well with you and your baby. How lovely to think of a new baby arriving soon

 

[hollandhens24]

I'm glad she's doing fine!

You may be right, that the eggs were from pullets coming into lay. Sometimes new layers can have some glitches.

Oh, chickens can be quite a puzzle at times, there's always something to learn. Keeps it interesting!

If she's doing o.k., and not showing any signs of distress, I'd go by your advice and take it day by day.

Congratulations! I hope all goes very well with you and your baby. How lovely to think of a new baby arriving soon

I am positive that one way or another things will sort themselves out I very much appreciate your advice and your following up on her condition!

Thank you, we are so excited and grateful to welcome our first little one! I have been so blessed with a healthy and uncomplicated pregnancy and am hoping for the same with labor and delivery