I Think a New Laying Pullet Is Laying Almost Only Popped Eggs?

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

Can you "separate" her where the rest of flock can still see her and interact with her? A dog crate inside the coop or inside the run might work well for that.

That way you can see what eggs she lays or does not lay, but she is not really away from the flock, so they will not forget her or fail to recognize her when you let her out again.

I could but long story short I probably will end up bringing her inside. It will only be three days worth of laying evidence, so I think my worries about separation won't be all that much. I've separated their boss pullet for three days and they all immediately recognized her when I put her back. Additionally, I'll let her go to the flock after/if she lays each day and take her back inside when it's sundown.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It can be very risky inserting a finger into the vent because you can introduce bacteria or even fecal matter and cause an infection.

It might be a good idea to give her a calcium citrate +D3 tablet every day for about 5 days to see if that helps, it often can. This is available at any store that sells vitamins/ supplements, it can be marketed as Citracal or its generic equivalent. Sometimes even though they seem to be getting plenty of calcium, they need the D3 to absorb it properly. This is standard treatment for hens that are dropping soft-shell or shell-less eggs. Just pop one of the tablets right in her beak, it may look big but she is well able to swallow it easily.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

It can be very risky inserting a finger into the vent because you can introduce bacteria or even fecal matter and cause an infection.

It might be a good idea to give her a calcium citrate +D3 tablet every day for about 5 days to see if that helps, it often can. This is available at any store that sells vitamins/ supplements, it can be marketed as Citracal or its generic equivalent. Sometimes even though they seem to be getting plenty of calcium, they need the D3 to absorb it properly. This is standard treatment for hens that are dropping soft-shell or shell-less eggs. Just pop one of the tablets right in her beak, it may look big but she is well able to swallow it easily.

I'll do this as well.
For the finger, I would be using sterile gloves plus apple cider vinegar around the vent. Before even inserting, an epsom salt bath and lubricating her would be due. Should I still avoid checking inside her with a finger? I'm concerned that there might be debris in her, but I'm not sure if any laxatives would be safe or even a good idea. Worst case scenario is she's already infected due to it going inside of her instead of out, which is what I'm really worried about *if* she is the one laying all those popped eggs. If she isn't, then I can safely assume somehow I've just never caught her on the nest and everyone else is taking turns laying popped eggs? If that is the case, no finger would happen and I guess I'll have to try to increase all of their D3.

 

[kattabelly]

It might just be one of those things if it is a new layer. One of mine was just doing this, although I only ever found one shell-less egg with the membrane broken and that was already being eaten by another pullet at the time. Dosed her with calcium & vit D a few times on the basis that it couldn't hurt short-term and she's laying properly now.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I wouldn't do laxatives, no. I think this will work itself out given time and the calcium tablets. Not unusual for young layers to start out with problems that soon sort themselves out.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

Alright, thanks for all the responses!

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

Update: It's been over a month and we've had a camera in the nesting boxes for about 4 weeks. She's almost completely stopped laying and I have only gotten 2-3 eggs from her for the entire month of November. She has gained weight and attitude. She is now is tied for heaviest girl with my most consistent layer and has gained two places up in the pecking order. She seems healthy, and I have no complaints about her even if she does not pay in butt nuggets. Does this sound normal to people? I'm just worried about the possibility that she has an underlying health issue and I might have less time with her than I think. I know this is not enough information, but I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar issue and it lead to concern over time.

Also, she is not showing rooster-ish traits, at least not yet. I have been giving them grower feed instead of layer with shells on the side because I've noticed her stop in lay. Everyone else is healthily laying, and I check feet, faces, breath, and poo every day. She isn't very vocal, unlike some of my other chickens.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

When you say "shells," do you mean eggshells, or oyster shell?

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

When you say "shells," do you mean eggshells, or oyster shell?

Both, they prefer the eggshells though, which do get baked well. I forgot to mention there hasn't been a shell-less egg since. Her eggs are shelled and lovely.