Help! Unknown object in nesting box and broody girl for 5 weeks now

I don't know what that "thing" is but you need to break the hen's broodiness. They don't always quit on their own. The tried and true method used for centuries is placing the hen in an elevated wire bottom cage with no bedding (just food and water). They have to get cool air to their underside to break the hormone cycle.
Feces in the nest box isn't normal. Make sure none are sleeping in there. A broody hen will hold it and put out one huge awful smelling fecal each day when she comes off to eat, drink and stretch.
So I separated Ms Broody today into her elevated wire bottom cage with food and water, no bedding in the run. We went and bought a 24x24" rabbit cage with no tray from tractor supply. I covered the cage with a cloth on three sides, one side open to let air flow, and it settled her down nicely. The other girls are going about their business. I really think MS Broody was making them all a little off. Thank you so much for your help in this! Hope all is back to normal soon.
 
X3. I have several broodies at any given time and the cage works wonders. I have 2 now that I have to break. Gotta love those broodies. I would also change their feed to layer feed. As stated it has all the nutrition they need and a lot more convienent. But that's not to say you can't give them treats too. Mine love mealworms
 
I am a new chick here, and recently moved to a new home which came with 6 chickens, run and coop. I met with the previous owner prior to the sale to get a tuturiol on how to care for my new girls, in addition to doing a lot of reading on my own. It's been 4 weeks since we moved in and all has been well. The girls have done well with transition, are eating well, and I continue to make the same food recipe in bulk as the previous owner. I also buy ingredients from the same grain store. I have several questions though about recent concerns...I have noticed poop in the 1 nesting box, which may be normal but started in the last few days. Is this normal? Also, poop in the coop and run is runny in some of these droppings 2) one of the chickens has been broody for almost 6 weeks now and won't leave the box except to eat. I am not sure shes even doing that. I have lifted her and taken out the eggs and she lays more. We don't have a rooster. She does change boxes after a couple days. How do I get her to stop this? I am unsure she is eating enough. I have read that she will stop on her own. But I have also read chickens hide being sick, and by the time they look sick, it's serious. Should I be worried? 3) this week one girl laid a slightly deformed egg which I didn't think twice about..is this normal? Until 4) today's find in the nesting box. It also appears that one of the smaller hens is molting a bit under her wing feathers. Is this "thing" in the box an egg that didn't form because she is molting and will stop laying soon? I also read that molting can be a sign they are not eating enough. I View attachment 1068077 View attachment 1068078 feel so I'll equipped and don't want to lose thsee sweet girls!
Looks like a plum
 
Great articles-thank you! Should I be concerned about changing their diet? How to I go about changing the food...phase out the old while transitioning to the new?
 

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