Inconsistent laying

[WombatChook]

Is it common for new layers to be sporadic with their eggs?

I havr 4 hens. My older ones have laid like clockwork since starting, but one of my two younger ones (May babies) has been sporadic. Firstly she was laying soft shelled eggs, then after a couple of days laying "proper" ones, we've gone back to 3 eggs in the nest box again instead of 4.

No soft ones anywhere that I can see, and while they free range during the day, I haven't found any egg stashes anywhere.

I also don't know which chook isn't laying each time - none of them appear unwell or eggbound, all happily roaming and eating and doing their chooky thing.

Is this still normal?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes, that's pretty common, as are egg quality issues, eggs in the wrong place, etc.

 

[aart]

they free range during the day

You may have to confine them until they are all using the coop nests.
But...not all birds lay every single day.

 

[WombatChook]

Thanks! Since I posted, we've had 4 eggs in the nest boxes each day