Never laid (for me) but had cracked egg in vent

[Rachmaginger]

My chicken has never laid an egg for me. Unsure of actual age as she is adopted. She is a brown shaver. We live in NZ and she started a mault 2 weeks ago but i have had her for nearly 6months. Prior to mault she has a bright red comb, squats, pelvic bones 2.5 fingers appart. She is bright, friendly and eats well. She is free range but i have searched and searched and locked them in the coop to midday, still nothing. Once a couple of months ago she started doing penguin stance, then i found yolk on poop board and she came right. 3 weeks ago she did penguin stance again but didn't come right. She sat in the nesting box for a few hours but nothing. So i gave her an Epsom salt bath and pulled out a broken twisted up part shell, part soft shell egg. She felt better and looked better almost immediately. I also found a few months ago a very small, but very clearly, a lash egg. Not sure if it is from her though. Is it possible that she will just never lay correctly?

 

[aart]

Is it possible that she will just never lay correctly?

Yes.

Might need to lock them in coop for more than just half a day.
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[Rachmaginger]

Thank you for your reply! I do have two fake eggs in the nest box. One of the others has decided she doesn't want to lay in the nest box so locking them in to midday is helping her atm. When this one is done with her molt i will lock them in for longer. Makes me feel mean .

 

[Rachmaginger]

Yes

When you say yes, do you mean she will lay correctly one day or won't? Does the broken twisted egg shell in her vent mean she can lay?

 

[aart]

When you say yes, do you mean she will lay correctly one day or won't? Does the broken twisted egg shell in her vent mean she can lay?

It meant.... yes, it is possible that she will just never lay correctly.
The broken twisted shell in her vent means something is wrong inside her reproductive system.

 

[Rachmaginger]

It meant.... yes, it is possible that she will just never lay correctly.
The broken twisted shell in her vent means something is wrong inside her reproductive system.

Oh no I did adopt her from horrible conditions so if that is the case, then I am happy for her to live out her days healthy, parasite free, warm and free to run over acres of land.