Help with egg laying problem

[jsreal]

A neighbor gave me his 3 chickens about a month ago- 1 ameraucana and 2 rhode island reds. Both reds were missing feathers, one mostly tail feathers, and one below her rump. He thought the ameraucana was pecking them. I put them in with my barred rocks and mutt chicks (unfortunately didn't know about quarantining them). The ameraucana then unfortunately got killed by a dog, she was an excellent layer. The red with the tail feathers missing started growing them back. She only laid an egg occasionally, a very large pale egg usually found in the yard somewhere. lately I have been getting more eggs but I think she is laying soft shell eggs from the roost - i have found at least 4 of them in the past week. I isolated her today which she is unhappy about, but she seems healthy otherwise. She is fed layer ration, and also free ranges. yesterday I added free choice oyster shell. Any other ideas? Other than the other red chicken with the bare bottom, no one else seems sick or with any problems. Thank you for your help!!

 

[jsreal]

Also, she is about a year and a half old. Thanks!!

 

[sumi]

Have you dewormed them and/or treated for mites? Internal or external parasites can sometimes cause egg problems, such as soft shelled eggs. Other causes could be lack of calcium and it sounds like they have that covered, stress (which usually causes one or 2 soft shelled eggs, not a continuous problem), environmental changes (such as sudden hot weather spells) and diseases, such as infectious bronchitis or avian influenza. If she's not showing any symptoms or signs of being sick I'd treat them for mites and worms and see if that helps.

 

[jsreal]

thanks! turns out both my RIR did it 2 nights ago, but then last night they didn't, and one laid a regular egg today. maybe it was just the weather but if it persists i will try worming them.