Perfect layer and then a shell-less mess

[hensRfun]

Hi everyone! I've talked to all my chicken buddies where I live and they haven't been able to help with my problem. I've gotten lots of sympathy but not real answers.The situation is this. I have a barred rock hen that is 1 1/2 years old. She has laid perfect eggs from the very beginning. About the beginning of September, she started laying shell-less eggs mostly at night when she is roosting. She shows absolutely no signs of being sick and believe me I have watched her closely. She has not lost weight and eats well. She gets good quality layer crumbles with additional oyster shells. She is bright, active, and inquisitive. She looks great- no signs of mites, beautifully feathered. I have done reading on chicken conditions and diseases to try to understand what is going on. The only thing that matches the symptoms is egg drop syndrome. Yes, I know they say we don't have it in the US. However, I'm at a loss at what else it could be. Any ideas?

 

[Sussexpenthouse]

Is she stressed or has she had a fright? I have one bird who will drop a shell less egg on roost or in the yard if she has had a fright. The shell less egg seems to occurs after the dog from next door has gotten into the yard and has tried to play with the chooks. This not a regular occurance however I noticed it occurs after the bird has been stressed or alarmed.

 

[hensRfun]

No, she has not had any fright that I know of and I have not seen any signs of a predator. She is closed up in the hen house at night and my dogs are in the yard during the day to warn off any stray critters. I know my dogs didn't frighten her because I have a dog fence around the coop and run so the hens have peace and quiet when I am not home.

 

[wastintime202]

My barred rock does the same thing occasionally. I don't know why it happens, like you, and it worries me when it does, and then she will start laying her normal eggs again. I really think it has to do with the shorter days or the heat. I just started their light coming on earlier in the morning and hope that will help. Out of my eight hens she is the only one that does it.