Like clockwork, a bad egg every other day

[KarynVA]

I have 3 Golden Comets, all are just over a year old and they have all been reliable layers since last Fall. However, for about a month now, one of the hens is laying a bad egg every other day. I mean, like clockwork! It's amazing. The bad egg is always found broken and smashed in the part of the coop where they tend to poop the most. The shell seems soft-ish, but still very recognizable as a shell. The other eggs are all perfectly fine.

They have layer feed and I give them dried and crushed egg shells regularly as free choice. They don't like the oyster shells.

I wonder what causes the bad egg - maybe the timing regularity is a clue? And is there anything I can do to help that hen have more healthy laying?

 

[sourland]

Sometimes as a hen approaches a break in her laying cycle changes like this occur. Perhaps she is about to molt and take a break from laying. Of course with sex links there is always the possibility of reproductive tract problems.

 

[624444]

I agree with what @sourland stated.
I would also try adding Layer Hen Vitamin supplements to your chicken's water. These vitamins have done wonders for one of my hens, that is larger, and has a calcium/all-around egg vitamin deficiency
I change their water daily and add in the Layer Hen Vitamin supplement, and I rarely have bad eggs.

All the best!

 

[KarynVA]

Thank you, both, for your very informative and helpful replies.

 

[aart]

I give them dried and crushed egg shells regularly as free choice. They don't like the oyster shells.

Mix the both types on shells in the same feeder/bowl.