Rubber eggs then nothing

[SCDB]

Hello, I'm looking for some advice.

My two hens have reliably laid two eggs a day since they arrived. Recently, I found a regular egg and a rubber egg, and the next day, a regular egg, and a broken thin-shelled egg. And then just one regular egg for two days in a row.

They both lay in the same spot, and I’m not sure which is laying and which isn’t or if they’re alternately having problems or what.

I feed them an all-flock feed and provide oyster shell grit, which they eat. They also get a lot of vegetable clippings—corncobs, melon rinds and so on.

We have had a week of high temperatures and lots of rain.

I guess I’m wondering if I should be worrying...

 

[lazy gardener]

How old are they? How long have they been laying? If they are new layers, it sometimes takes a while for the assembly line to get synchronized.

 

[SCDB]

We got the one about a year ago and have had the other about six months. They were both laying when we got them. I doubt they've missed more than a day or two each since we've had them.

 

[aart]

The heat can screw things up for sure....how high of temps?
What is your location?
How old are these birds?
What breed are they?

 

[SCDB]

We're in SC. It's been in the mid '90s, so not ridiculous. It has been raining daily as well, which I thought at first might be messing with their habits.

I can't say exactly how old--maybe one is a year and a half and the other is closer to two years?

I think they're golden sex links.

 

[aart]

I'd cut out a lot, or all, of the fruit and veg,
just let them eat the regular feed for a couple weeks.

Could be too many 'treats' and/or the heat and/or the fact that sometimes high production breeds drastically slow down at 2-3 years ad they are also more susceptible to reproductive issues.

 

[SCDB]

Thanks. That's what I figured.

Interesting that there are so many rubber egg threads going right now.

 

[aart]

Interesting that there are so many rubber egg threads going right now.

Because many of this early springs chicks are starting to lay....
...and for older birds the spring laying surge is over and the summer weather temps are rising.

 

[BarryEH]

I'm having issues with one of mine as well. and I'm guessing it might be too many treats and the heat. hmmm

 

[junebuggena]

Don't forget that it is starting to get into molting season. Shell-less eggs can happen as the production system begins to shut down in preparation for the annual molt.