First egg - surrounded in mucus, chicken seems unwell

[Alyse Graham]

We are new to chickens. Our second chicken just laid her first egg. The first started laying last week and had no trouble. Today, the second chicken laid a small egg that was normal in shape and color (though with some whitish streaks on it) and intact but surrounded in a pool of clear mucus. A little more mucus seems to be coming out her rear, and she looks like she is uncomfortable/flexing her butt. She also is not interested in food, though this just happened an hour ago so hasn't been for that long. Is this normal or is she sick? Could another egg be stuck in there or is it unlikely since the first one just came out. My children are very upset and concerned since the love this pet chicken.

This is the mucus. We picked the egg up out of it before I took the picture. (We cracked the egg and it was normal inside). Or, I suppose this might not be mucus but another egg white from an egg without a shell (and without a yolk). Is that possible?

 

[lbgreenfield]

Hi. New layers can sometimes have issues when first starting to lay. I am assuming your flock is on a good quality chicken feed and that they have access to free choice oyster shell and grit, is that the case? The oyster shell will help with the calcium requirements for making a strong egg shell.

How is she doing today?

When you say she is "uncomfortable/flexing her butt", is her tail pumping? Is the vent pulsing (looks like it's trying to continuously push out an egg)? Is she waddling like a penguin? Is she panting? Those are the signs of being egg bound.

Has she pooped, eaten, or had anything to drink since you originally posted?