Is my chicken eating her eggs or...?

[manorhousechix]

I have a 6 month old Amber White who was an egg-a-day layer who has recently tapered off to every other day or every three days. When we do get an egg it usually has a hole or is misshapen (kind of smooshed-looking). We can’t figure out what’s causing her slow down in production or the holes- any ideas? We’ve been good about grabbing her eggs as early as possible and giving her plenty of hours of free range time. Yolk and everything looks great. Pictures below.

Some discoloration around the hole





Smooshed from the side view- somewhat rough texture.

 

[snow5164]

She could be pecking at it ,Only one layer so far? Eggs smash together
I’d add a few ceramic eggs into the nest, one peck on that and she might stop .

Amber white how many eggs a year? Is she a sex link?

What are you feeding? Layer with calcium on the side I hope

If the membrane is not broken it’s good to eat .

 

[manorhousechix]

Thanks so much for the insight!

All my girls are laying but they lay at different times in the day. She’s a sex link with pretty high production expectancy— but we are pretty far north in Seattle and I wonder if shortening days are playing into our egg slow down?

I will definitely try the ceramic eggs- great idea!!

She could be pecking at it ,Only one layer so far? Eggs smash together
I’d add a few ceramic eggs into the nest, one peck on that and she might stop .

Amber white how many eggs a year? Is she a sex link?

What are you feeding? Layer with calcium on the side I hope

If the membrane is not broken it’s good to eat .

 

[snow5164]

And yes, shortening days play a big part in egg production.Being in Canada I know it well

We have a 60 watt bulb on in our coops from 8 am til 8 pm , not long enough to be cruel but enough to give them the me to lay .