No shell egg mess...

[dezertol]

One of my older hens (nearly 5) buff orphington living in the heat of Arizona (I don't know why we got buff orphingtons).. laid good eggs for the first 2 years then became quite sporadic, then she stopped all together nearly all of last summer, and for some reason has decided to try to start laying again.. however.. the eggs do not have shells.. once in a while there is a leathery sack.. but for the most part it's just egg goo.. and it makes a mess I'm worried that.. she.. and possibly my other chickens will decide it's food and thus end the only reason I have them in the first place. She's no long able to get up onto the roosting bar in the coop (it's only about 24 inches off the ground). She sleeps in the nexting box... She was able to get up there last year at this time..

I have tried mixing in Manna Pro Omega eggmaker -> https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/manna-pro-omega-eggmaker-5-lb?cm_vc=-10005 hoping that she'd get it together and start laying real eggs but it didn't seem to have made any difference(adding it in over the course of 2 months). My other birds (legghorns) are doing fine and their eggs are solid and strong. I'm guessing that her age is catching up with her... but.. I don't know what to expect from the buff Orphington breed, or for how long the "should" be able to lay eggs. I do run a swam cooler during the summer months, and I cool the water etc.. so they have it fairly good in my opinion, and she was fine the first 2 years..

I understand that a lot of the folks on this group have them as "pets" give them names and, and dress them up and what have you.. ..... but I grew up in farm country, and if an Animal was not fulfilling the measure of it's creation it was time to go. That being said if your advice is take it to the vet, then I thank you for your interest, but that's not practical in my world view.

I'd appreciate any knowledge or advice on the breed or if it's time to throw in the towel or if there are other things I should try.
Thank you for your time.
~Dez

 

[staceyj]

It sounds like a shell gland / reproductive problem has been brewing with this girl.
She may not be roosting because she’s laying internally and her belly is swollen. You can cup the area between her legs, then do the same to your other birds for comparison.
Have you seen any lash eggs in the nest or always just the shell-less eggs ?
What has her posture been like lately? Any penguin-like poses or walking?

Do you provide oyster shell for them in addition to the calcium that is in their feed?
Could you give her a human calcium supplement?
Such as caltrate with D3.
I’d give at least half a tablet daily for a week just in case it makes a difference before making any decisions.
The calcium may help her form a shell or at least help her expel what’s in there easier.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

laid good eggs for the first 2 years then became quite sporadic, then she stopped all together nearly all of last summer, and for some reason has decided to try to start laying again.. however.. the eggs do not have shells.. once in a while there is a leathery sack.. but for the most part it's just egg goo.. and it makes a mess

She's no long able to get up onto the roosting bar in the coop (it's only about 24 inches off the ground). She sleeps in the nexting box

I understand that a lot of the folks on this group have them as "pets" give them names and, and dress them up and what have you.. ..... but I grew up in farm country, and if an Animal was not fulfilling the measure of it's creation it was time to go.

I'm sorry to hear about your hen.
Do you have photos you would like to share?
I agree with @staceyj it does sound like she has a reproductive problem.

You can try supplementing her with 1/2 tablet of Caltrate daily for a week to see if that makes a difference.
If she is not able to roost and is now sleeping in the nesting boxes, she's not feeling well.
Stopping laying all summer last year, I would take a guess that she is laying internally or may have egg yolk peritonitis. Feel her abdomen for bloat, swelling or feeling of fluid.

If your goals are egg production, then she is not meeting your goals. Hens that have reproductive problems can rally and do o.k. for a while, but they usually do require some supportive care - making sure they are comfortable, eating/drinking, checking to see the crop is emptying, etc.
There is nothing wrong with culling a hen that is not productive, many people replace their hens at first molt (around 16-18months), they have pullets coming into lay as replacement layers and just keep rotating. Older hens are processed for eating or sold.
If she is in a state of decline, then you may want to put her out her misery. If you do this, it would be a good idea to open her up and take a look inside to see what was going on with her - look in the abdomen, at the heart/liver and reproductive system. Take photos and we will help you with what you see.