Hen acting lethargic before laying soft-shelled egg, then acting normal again.

[FattySmough]

I noticed my ISA Brown hen acting lethargic this evening, so I was keeping an eye on her. About an hour after the behaviour started I saw her standing next to a freshly-laid shelless egg, presumably laid by her. After laying the egg she was acting completely normal again, as if nothing had ever happened My entire flock eats Purina Flock Raiser, and they have a feeder with oyster shell inside their coop. Maybe she was lethargic because the shelless egg was hard to pass? Any help is appreciated.

 

[My Three Chicks]

I'm having a similar problem so I'm following...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Soft shelled or shelless eggs can be hard to expel.
Sounds like she did just fine.

I'd keep watch on her. If this becomes a problem, then I'd give her 1 Calcium Citrate for 5 days, just pop the tablet into her beak and let her swallow.

 

[Kiki]

Exactly why she was acting off.

Is there a reason why you don't feed a layer type feed to prevent these type problems?

 

[FattySmough]

Soft shelled or shelless eggs can be hard to expel.
Sounds like she did just fine.

I'd keep watch on her. If this becomes a problem, then I'd give her 1 Calcium Citrate for 5 days, just pop the tablet into her beak and let her swallow.

Okay, I will do that if it persists.

Is there a reason why you don't feed a layer type feed to prevent these type problems?

I used to give layer feed, but the exact same hen with soft eggs has a horrible bald patch on one of her wings. I inspected the birds for mites and couldn't find any signs so I figured it was nutritional/lack of protein. Also I have a cockerel and he doesn't need the calcium. Come to think of it I've seen this hen lay a soft egg even when she was still on layer feed.

 

[Chicken poppy]

Okay, I will do that if it persists.

I used to give layer feed, but the exact same hen with soft eggs has a horrible bald patch on one of her wings. I inspected the birds for mites and couldn't find any signs so I figured it was nutritional/lack of protein. Also I have a cockerel and he doesn't need the calcium. Come to think of it I've seen this hen lay a soft egg even when she was still on layer feed.

You do give calcium though, right..?

 

[FattySmough]

You do give calcium though, right..?

Yes, I mentioned a feeder with oyster shell in the first part of the post.