My Hen laid a regular egg and a soft shelled egg in one day. Is something wrong with her?

[Jujubeans2008]

So, about a month ago- one of my hen's was eggbound. My husband and I took all of the neccesary steps, and we "saved" her, and she passed a soft-shelled egg that night.

Last night, I went to the coop to collect the eggs and saw she had laid an egg. I always count my chickens before I lock them up inside completely, and last night I was missing one. She was laying in the bushes by herself, so I brought her inside. She was acting like she was eggbound, but she had already laid for the day. However, I took all of the neccesary steps once again, and gave her some anti-biotics, poly-vi-sol, vitamin d, and calcium. I woke up this morning, and she passed a soft shelled egg. Is this normal? Does this happen sometimes? Or is there something "wrong" with her egg production? Is there anything I can do to prevent this? They are on layer pellets, and have access to oyster shell. They also free-range during the day.

 

[Pork Pie]

Personally, i would not worry too much about the odd soft-shelled egg now and again.

CT

 

[Jujubeans2008]

I think what has me worried is that it was two in one day. She's my only hen that has had any problems with soft shelled, or double egg laying.

 

[azygous]

There is a chance, however slight, that this could indicate future egg laying issues with this hen. It's happened to me twice having a hen lay two eggs in quick succession, and later both of my hens died from egg laying problems.

What I would advise is to keep a close eye on your hen. Be ready to step in if it appears she's having trouble passing an egg. I use a heating pad under the nest material in the laying box to relax the hen and make it easier to lay the egg. Or you can do a warm water soak, but it's much messier.

Also, be watchful for any infection taking hold, and be ready to begin a round of antibiotic treatment. Notice any sign of illness such as isolation, lethargy, and tail held down and flat, and scant, watery poop. It could be a sign of egg peritonitis due to internal laying.

I've learned over the years that with some layers, egg laying can be a dangerous business.

 

[Jujubeans2008]

That's what my fear is.

I didn't know that they could get infections from egg laying. What signs would those be? And what kind of antibiotics should I stalk up on? I have some for coocidis (I'm not sure how to spell it), but I don't have any other antibiotics. I'd like to add something else to my chicken first-aid kit though.

 

[chickens really]

To be honest she is normal. Some hens reproduction organs act like that...Nothing is going to change her egg production. All your doing is filling her up on antibiotics for no reason...
I have had hens that only lay soft shelled eggs, Rooster eggs, one egg a week. They are no longer here.
Before chickens were thought of as pets they were livestock first and the ones not producing eggs were supper.
I give my hens a grace period to get egg laying in order or they are culled and replaced the next spring.
I enjoy my hens a lot but they are here for eggs not as pets.

 

[Jujubeans2008]

I gave her antibitoics for coccida (don't know how to spell it) because my young chicks had it, and her stool was runny and had a red tint to it. Now I know that might just be because she had to lay another egg.

Your chickens may only be there for egg production, but I do treat mine as pets. They are my pets, and if I can do something to prevent her from going through the distress of laying multiple eggs or soft shell eggs then I want to do it. However if there's not, then that's okay too. I just wanted to know if there is anything that I can do to help her.

 

[chickens really]

The drugs all go into the eggs you eat though...Unless you are throwing them out??

 

[Jujubeans2008]

They are being thrown out. I'm not going to not give her medicine just because I want to eat her eggs. Plus, I doubt it is healthy to eat eggs that are coming from sick chickens.

 

[keesmom]

How old is she, and what breed? Some breeds tend to be prone to egglaying issues.