Rehomed hens first egg…errrr balloon?

SilkieFlockOf5

Chirping
Jan 6, 2025
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Thursday I brought home 3 laying hens- no other chickens in the brand new coop, these are my first. They have kalmbach flock maker, grit, and oyster shell in their run and have been getting carrot shreds, a handful of mealworms, and a few strawberry tops to warm them up to me as a treat.
I went out this AM and my Ameraucana had yellow all over her feet. I went to the coop and found this balloon looking egg? Is this due to the stress of being rehomed? I know it was her egg as my other two don’t lay blue
I noticed when I brought her home she had a bit of a dirty rear end but she’s got crossbeak so I attributed some of it to that as her sister hens are in great condition. My plan was to give her an epsom bath in a few days after she’s settled some.
Is there anything else I need to do in the meantime? They’re all 3 flighty so anything that can be given in their food or water (preferably with no egg withdrawal) would be preferred though I know that’s not always going to be the best course. Thanks chicken mamas!!
 

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How old is she?
How much calcium is she getting (does she have oyster shell?)?

To me it looks like a shelless egg.
 
I was told she’s just over a year old and was a steady layer. They have access to grit and oyster in their run next to their food- you can see the tubes in the background. They’re kept full.
 

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I was told she’s just over a year old and was a steady layer. They have access to grit and oyster in their run next to their food- you can see the tubes in the background. They’re kept full.
Crush up chicken egg shell and put it in their feed. They love it and it is one of the highest sources of calcium
 
When you are new to chickens, one tends to think an irregular egg is a big sign something is wrong. I think that is because one always gets perfect eggs at the store.

It is a soft shell egg, and you might get a couple more. Change really upsets chickens. And the rest of them may lay today and tomorrow and then take a break for a few days.

This will resolve itself in a few days to a week.
 
You don't even need to roast the egg shells in the oven or break them up much. I used to when I first started keeping chickens. Now, if the eggs are their own, I take the shells I cracked to make my breakfast, smash a bit with my fingers, give to the hens, and they break it up further and eat it. If it's eggs from outside my flock, I might cook them to maintain biosecurity. The hens will attack the shells and chase each other over them. Good enrichment.
 

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