Ameraucana Egg laying problems

[Summers7]

I have a 1yr old Ameraucana Hen that has some laying problems. I cant figure out whats wrong and would welcome any input others have with this breed and situation. 3 months ago she hurt her leg. I could never figure out what was wrong but I am guessing a torn ligament. She barely limps on it now, but it is obviously not all the way healed. During the past 3 months she didnt stop laying which was a good sign that she wasnt under too much stress. However in the past 2 weeks, she has been laying sporadically (not 5 straight days) she lays her egg on the ground in the coop usually close to their feeder, and she layed a thin shelled egg 2 days ago and this morning a very small round, thin shelled egg, almost like a 'rooster egg' except it was the pretty blue color. What could possibly be going on with her? She seems active, she eats well, is always out in the yard, has healthy feathers and is at a good weight? No diarrhea. Any ideas? All the other hens lay with no problems.

Thank you
Lori

 

[mnlght10]

Hi,

I'm so sorry your poor americanuna the thin egg shells could be due to lack of calcium get some oyster shells and offer that to her and it also might help her in general best of luck to u!!

 

[aart]

Hard to say....where are you located? Coming into spring or fall?
Funny that she laid fine during her injury and now is having issues/slowing down.

 

[Summers7]

In Colorado, coming into spring. I used a heat lamp for winter (it wasn't too harsh but I like to spoil 'the girls). Anyway I took the lamp away to use for my new chicks. We have had a few colder nights but they have a nice protected coop. Do you think cold weather could cause this? I have 3 wyandottes and they are all doing fine. Maybe they do better in cold weather? I don't know? Today she layed a nice 'big' blue egg for me. I just don't get it. I am giving them crushed shells now, however we have a lot of calcium in our soil here and i feed them layer food so i am not convinced that the problem is low calcium.

 

[aart]

Ahhhh, the change in lighting did it, I bet.....
.....by removing the heat lamp could have given her pause, shocked/stressed her system a bit.
Some birds are more sensitive to changes than others.
Time will tell if it was a glitch, and may never know exactly why, or an on going thing that may need to be addressed.