Naked bottom and soft shells

[kodiakchicken]

This isn't an emegency, I don't think, but I've got a hen with some issues that I need suggestions about. She's a two year old silver-laced wyondotte. She seems perfectly happy and still eats, peck and runs around the yard like normal. However, she's been missing the feathers on her bottom around her vent for some time. At first it was a little alarming to see, but I made sure she wasn't injured or bleeding and decided to leave her alone. I've had other chickens do what I'd call spot molts. She hasn't shown any indication of growing her feathers back though and when I let them all out today I noticed she had the leathery shell of a soft egg hanging from her vent and she looked a tiny bit prolapsed. I caught her despite the protests of the rooster and gently pulled the shell out. I knew I had someone laying soft eggs but this was the first time I was ever able to figure out who. I give oyster shell and none of the others have problems so she either has an absorbtion problem or just won't eat the oyster shell.

My question is whether I should be worried about her or not. I thought about bringing her in and washing her bottom so I could take a closer look, but she seemed fine and was struggling to get back to her share of the scratch grains. It doesn't look like the other hens pick at her naked bottom. Should I be worried about the lack of feathers, the soft eggs and/or the prolapse appearance?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Terri O]

If she seems OK and you dont mind having a chicken that doesnt contribute then I dont see it as a problem. I would watch her though in case she gets one of those soft eggs stuck inside...then you would have a problem! Not much help but...Terri O

 

[kodiakchicken]

Thanks, Terri. I don't mind having a hen that isn't laying, mainly because she's one of my first birds and I don't have the heart to cull her. I figured if she was up and happy then I shouldn't worry too much. I'll just keel an eye on her. If anyone else has any ideas or
suggestions I'd be happy to hear them.

 

[chuckzoo]

My BR laid an egg without a shell - just the yolk and white in the nest - I got it out before they even thought about trying to eat it. She had the membrane still stuck to her bottom and then sort of pooped it out and I scooped it up as they were trying to eat it. I just left her alone and her next egg was totally normal. I guess these things happen from time to time.