Issue with hen laying

[jp57]

Yesterday while out in the yard, I noticed all of my hens (8 of them) were crowded in one area of the yard and it looked like they were all eating something. When I went to investigate, it looked like a raw egg, but there no signs of a shell. I noticed one that wasn't eating and she was standing in a pose like she was trying to poop. I noticed what is in the picture hanging out of her, and she was rocking side to side I guess trying to break it free. I watched here try for about 5 minutes to get it out but she couldn't. I came back after about 10 minutes, and I didn't see it anymore. Any idea what could have caused this?

 

[Bantambird]

She had a shelless egg. The membrane broke when she was trying to push it out to be laid. If you see this happen with the membrane hanging down, it is safe to GENTLY pull it out. Keep an eye on her, offer them extra calcium supplements (oyster shell, egg shells, ect) and hopefully this was a one time thing. If she has damaged shell glands, she has a higher chance of becoming egg bound, which can kill her.

 

[jp57]

They eat calcium fortified feed. They have access to oyster shell (which they don't touch often) and free range on five acres everyday. With the oyster shell, when I throw some on the ground, they'll run over to it but do not eat it. I keep some in a feeder in their enclosure with their food and water, but have never had to add anything to it. I assumed they weren't eating it since they were free roaming. Any tricks to getting them to eat it?

 

[Bantambird]

Usually they will eat it when they need it, so that isn't normally a concern. The other thing to worry about is damaged shell glands. Flukes happen sometimes too, but just in case, keep an eye on her in case of future problems.

 

[jp57]

Will do. Thanks for the help.