Egg-laying issue diagnosis???

[RocketDog1]

One of our barred rocks had been a fairly prolific egg-layer, giving us about 5 or 6 eggs per week. Two months ago she stopped laying. Her health seemed fine at first and I checked her for a bound egg but didn't detect anything. Then one day she seemed rather sick, standing around with her tail down. That night she laid a soft, rubbery egg and immediately her health seemed to return to normal. Still, she wouldn't lay eggs. I figured it was a calcium deficiency so I started adding Purina Layena to her normal laying mash and also a separate feeder with oyster shells. Still no eggs.
It seems that every 10 days or so she goes back into a funk where she's listless and her tail droops, then she lays another soft egg. Once she passes the egg, she's back to normal.
Our other hens are on the same diet and are all doing fine. Has anyone out there experienced this? Any ideas?

 

[aart]

How old are your birds?

Did you get 2 more?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/doubling-my-flock.1192888/

 

[RocketDog1]

How old are your birds?

Did you get 2 more?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/doubling-my-flock.1192888/

I have 3 birds- 2 barred rocks and a leghorn. All are about 17 months old. Planning on adding a couple more next spring. Their run is 50 sq ft (7 X 7) and the coop is 24 sq ft. Well ventilated and I keep it clean.

 

[Folly's place]

I'd look hard, at night with a flashlight, for mites or lice, and maybe have a fecal run at your veterinarian's. Parasite issues are an easy fix, if you find them. Hens can decide to molt, or just slow down laying, for benign reasons, especially as the days get shorter in fall.
Hens can also develop illnesses that are difficult/ impossible to treat, in practical ways, some even younger than your hen. Good luck to her! Mary

 

[aart]

All are about 17 months old.

Getting ready to molt.
What and how exactly are you feeding?

 

[RocketDog1]

Getting ready to molt.
What and how exactly are you feeding?

I feed them a 50/50 mix of layer mash and Purina Layena. The feeder is kept full. Could I be over feeding? They also have a separate container with oyster shells.

It seems like there is something wrong in how her eggs are forming. She'll go into a daze for several hours and seems very uncomfortable. She then passes a very soft egg and the feathers around her vent get messy. As soon as she passes the deformed egg, she seems to feel fine.

 

[aart]

I feed them a 50/50 mix of layer mash and Purina Layena. The feeder is kept full. Could I be over feeding? They also have a separate container with oyster shells.

It seems like there is something wrong in how her eggs are forming. She'll go into a daze for several hours and seems very uncomfortable. She then passes a very soft egg and the feathers around her vent get messy. As soon as she passes the deformed egg, she seems to feel fine.

Feed's probably fine, on it's own...any other foods/treats given? Both the layer mash and the layena should have 3-4% calcium

Soft eggs can make them act weird, have seen it several times. As to why she's laying soft eggs could be several reasons.
She could have parasites as folly mentioned.
She may not be up-taking and using nutrients properly..genetic or illness.
She could be slowing down production to molt, but 2 months is along time for that.
She could have some kind of infection/disease.

Have you looked closely at her belly, is it swollen and squishy?

 

[RocketDog1]

Her belly doesn't seem squishy or swollen. Yesterday I picked her up to wash her vent area and didn't notice anything wrong with her belly.

Regarding parasites-
I don't think she has mites or lice since I've never seen them on my hands or arms after holding her, but I will go ahead and treat her for them.
I should probably collect her droppings and have them looked at for internal parasites.

 

[Folly's place]

Mites and lice might get on you, but by then, you have a real disaster. Look at all your birds, at night, with a flashlight, and treat if you find ONE on any bird.
Is she thin? Feel her breast on either sides of her keel, and compare her to your other hens of the same breed type. A thinner than normal bird is ill. Mary

 

[RocketDog1]

Mites and lice might get on you, but by then, you have a real disaster. Look at all your birds, at night, with a flashlight, and treat if you find ONE on any bird.
Is she thin? Feel her breast on either sides of her keel, and compare her to your other hens of the same breed type. A thinner than normal bird is ill. Mary

Thanks, Mary...I will check them tonight for the parasites.
She doesn't seem thin at all. As a matter of fact, she's my biggest bird- tall and bulky. Very robust.