So last week one of my girls had some sort of issue that seemed to involve slight crop impaction (which has resolved with oil and massaging), and while she wasn't feeling well she laid a shell-less egg plus shell separately. She hasn't laid since (which doesn't matter because now she seems to be feeling completely better), but this morning there she was on the nest box, working away. After her usual length of time (she likes to lay and then hang out for a bit), she hopped down like "OK, done!" and joined the others. I checked the nest box and ... no egg!
She is not behaving like an egg-bound bird and seems perfectly comfortable physically now. Is it possible her system is just confused and when the others lay she thinks she needs to as well, but there's nothing there? I'd rather not lube up and check her oviduct since the poor thing has been through enough this past week and she truly seems fine otherwise, but I can. Has anyone else experienced this? I know she's not hiding the egg because everyone stays inside until laying time is over. Thanks in advance!
