Shell less egg?

[Molliep2]

I went to collect the eggs tonight and there were three eggs. There was also egg yolk in the nesting box but no shell. I have four hens. Two are around 2 yrs old and the other two are around 9 months. I’m thinking the egg yolk was from a shell less egg because I didn’t see any shell but I’m not sure. Please help. They have free choice oyster shell.

 

[cavemanrich]

Sometimes things happen unexplained. It is a possibility that the shell-less egg came from one of the young hens. Sometimes young hens are not wise enough to consume enough free-choice calcium. I suggest you throw/mix into their feed a tablespoon or two of the cracked ouster shells. You will notice afterwards that most of the shells were omitted in the chickens feed container. Nothing wrong with that, since most chickens know what they need. They pick out what they want, and leave the rest. The few newbie chickens may see the calcium, and decide they do need it. Its like a light-bulb turning on in their head. Just add your feed to the unfinished contents of shells, Eventually, all shells will be consumed. Your chickens will not overdose on calcium when offered in this fashion. Some of it will also serve as grit, while the excess will get discharged in poop.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[aart]

I went to collect the eggs tonight and there were three eggs. There was also egg yolk in the nesting box but no shell. I have four hens. Two are around 2 yrs old and the other two are around 9 months. I’m thinking the egg yolk was from a shell less egg because I didn’t see any shell but I’m not sure. Please help. They have free choice oyster shell.

My bet is that one of your older birds is ramping down production and getting ready to molt.
Can get some weird eggs before and after molting.
Not finding a shell may mean it didn't have one or they ate it.

@Molliep2 Did you figure out what the deal was with your dirty bottomed hen?:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dirty-bottom.1401793/