My reliable layer laid a soft egg, first abnormal egg---problem?

[Carrie Lynn]

My RIR or BA, not certain who, laid a very soft shelled egg that got stepped on and torn.
She has laid perfect eggs since she started laying 6 mos. ago.
Might stress have caused this? I was working on their coop with an electric staple gun yesterday while they were in a small run less than 20 ft. away. When they were returned to their coop it had been changed (door removed and space covered w/ hardware cloth for the summer).

Can stress affect chickens in this way?

 

[Yay Chicks!]

I would imagine that your instinct about it being stress related is probably right on. I wouldn't worry too much about it if it is only one.

Edited to say: Even if it is more than one. One of mine went through a soft egg "phase" after laying hard shelled eggs and then just snapped out of it.

 

[Imp]

Mine will occasionally lay a soft egg. I don't think it's a problem.

Imp- well, maybe it is for the egg.

 

[eilene1226]

I have a speckled sussex who has been pretty reliable, 5 eggs a week or so, but this week, she has laid one rubber egg in 5 days. She acts healthy, eating fine, etc. My husband did accidentally open the egg box while she was in there the day she laid the rubber egg, so maybe he startled her, but it's been another two days with no egg. It is hot, but not awfully so, so I don't think it is heat stress. We do allow them out to forage for a few hours every day, and we are feeding them a good quality laying feed. I do admit I probably give them too many treats, like berries, cantaloupe, cashews, sunflower seeds, and dried mealworms. Is this egg-laying behavior normal? I am new to chicken keeping, and the other three in my flock aren't quite old enough to lay yet. The sussex is one year old.

Thanks!

 

[Imp]

I have a speckled sussex who has been pretty reliable, 5 eggs a week or so, but this week, she has laid one rubber egg in 5 days. She acts healthy, eating fine, etc. My husband did accidentally open the egg box while she was in there the day she laid the rubber egg, so maybe he startled her, but it's been another two days with no egg. It is hot, but not awfully so, so I don't think it is heat stress. We do allow them out to forage for a few hours every day, and we are feeding them a good quality laying feed. I do admit I probably give them too many treats, like berries, cantaloupe, cashews, sunflower seeds, and dried mealworms. Is this egg-laying behavior normal? I am new to chicken keeping, and the other three in my flock aren't quite old enough to lay yet. The sussex is one year old.

Thanks!

An occasional soft egg is normal.

Imp