hen struggling but still laying

[klind]

My LO recently starting spending a lot more time in the nest. She has always been quick; in the nest for about 10-15 minutes. Just started laying last Feb. The last few weeks she's spending about an hour in there. When I check on her, she seems to be struggling; tail up and bottom is pulsing. It just goes on and on. Sometimes she takes steps and I saw her fall over once. Still laying eggs, but sometimes she seems real dopey for about 5 minutes afterwards, and that's new. Last week she layed 2 soft shells. I gave her calcium and she took the next day off then has laid good eggs daily since. Otherwise she appears perfectly well, her normal self. Can hens have a chronic difficulty passing eggs?
I have 2 hens, they get layer pellets and free range in my backyard.

 

[Lay-A Organic]

She seems egg bound. This may help:

https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/egg-bound-chicken/

 

[TX Chick Noob]

@azygous @Wyorp Rock

 

[azygous]

What is your location and climate please?

Has she ever laid an egg with a poor quality shell?

She may be due for her first molt, and that can affect egg laying. Problems have a higher chance of occurring at this time when hormones are fickle and demands on her body are changing from egg laying to building new feathers.

What you can do now is to give her a calcium supplement, ideally calcium citrate with D-3 added. This will boost her calcium levels and make it easier for her to build strong shells which are much easier to pass. This need only be given for the next five days or so. Then she can go back to relying on her oyster shell. This is what I recommend since it's digested much easier and quickly than calcium carbonate, which is what oyster shell is.

 

[klind]

What is your location and climate please?

Has she ever laid an egg with a poor quality shell?

She may be due for her first molt, and that can affect egg laying. Problems have a higher chance of occurring at this time when hormones are fickle and demands on her body are changing from egg laying to building new feathers.

What you can do now is to give her a calcium supplement, ideally calcium citrate with D-3 added. This will boost her calcium levels and make it easier for her to build strong shells which are much easier to pass. This need only be given for the next five days or so. Then she can go back to relying on her oyster shell. This is what I recommend since it's digested much easier and quickly than calcium carbonate, which is what oyster shell is.View attachment 3288046

We're in central California; days in the 90's, night in the 60's right now.
She only had those 2 soft shells, then after I gave her Caltrate, she went right back to normal eggs. She has never acted unwell, just really tired for a few minutes after laying.
I've read other posts about chickens acting really distressed while trying to lay, but she doesn't do that either. I'm not sure that there is actually anything wrong, but it seems strange for her to have such a sudden change.
I will try giving her Calcium supplement for a few days in a row. They have oyster shell available all the time.