How to identify bird consistently laying soft eggs.

[chauqg]

I am getting 3-5 soft eggs weekly out of average of 154 eggs per week. Plenty of oyster available, production layena feed on demand; free ranging daily yet during evening when the birds come in there has been a soft egg in the nest box at 7-8:00PM. If I dont see it in the evening I usually find an empty soft shell (eaten egg) in early AM when first checking for eggs. Have 25 birds getting 21 -24 eggs daily with one soft included 3-5 times per week.

How can I identify the hen without having a trap nest box?

There is one hen that is reluctant to go outside and she usually stays in the coop all the time. She seems very nervous when alone in the coop especially when I come in to do anything while the all the other birds are out!?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Sure sounds like one has a problem. One method I've heard of is to put food coloring in the vents. I have not tried it myself but have read about it on here. From what I've read, you need to apply it every day to be sure it will work. Of course, you'll have to explain the coloring on the eggs to your customers.

Good luck.