Shell-less eggs

[jennifer 1891]

This is my first post, though I've been an avid viewer of this site because it is so helpful but I have a problem and I'm not sure what to do.

I have a 2 year old Buff Orpington that up until the last month has been happy, healthy and laying normally. In the past few weeks I have noticed that she goes into the nesting box as usual but doesn't lay an egg and then later in the day or the next she is reclusive, like hiding the bushes and obviously uncomfortable. I have found three shell-less eggs in the coop and then last week she was acting odd again and laid the egg right in the middle of the garden while I was watching.

My other girls are laying normally. They have layer rations and oyster shell available at all times. I'm not going crazy overboard on snacks and they are able to free range several hours a week in the yard and garden so I don't think it is a dietary issue. I'm not sure what my next move should be. I don't care if she never lays another shelled egg again I just don't want her in pain or suffering.

Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Kelsie2290]

You are sure she is not going broody?
Otherwise hatchery Buff Orpingtons seem to be one of those breeds prone to reproductive problems, unfortunately it sounds like your girl might be developing one, if she is laying those shell less eggs, they also seem to make the birds more prone to infections like peritonitis. You might consider putting her on antibiotics if she is acting/looking sick. http://simplelifeainteasy.blogspot.com/2012/03/egg-yolk-peritonitis-diagnosing-sick.html Those eggs are not necessarily related to a lack of calcium as such, it can be related to the bird's ability to use calcium or a defective shell gland. There is a list of other causes on The Poultry Site ... http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publi...ndbook/16/thinshelled-eggs-and-shellless-eggs

 

[Trishkabob]

I just saw this exchange after coming in from the coop where I found a shelless egg in the pen. We have 5 hens and some of the eggshells have been thin lately but we aren't sure who is laying them. 2 are about 3 the others are 1.
We also recently (in the last month) found, for the first time, broken eggs in the nestbox. I cleaned them out and noone seems to be eating them.
Should I be concerned if they seem to be acting normally? Are shelless eggs "refular" abnormalities as they age or is this always/usually a sign of something bad?

 

[jennifer 1891]

I don't think she's broody. She is only in the nesting box for about half an hour, hour at the most and gets out, but no egg. She isn't really acting sick at all, she just keeps to herself and looks like she is constipated and doesn't move around much. Sort of like the article you sent me about the chicken. Once she passes the shell-less egg she is back to her usual self, or at least that is what i've observed so far.

Does this always end badly or can she go on functioning like this as long as there isn't an infection? I think the reproductive issue sounds like the best fit so far. I will continue to keep a close eye on her and see if her condition changes.

 

[Kelsie2290]

The occasional shell less egg is usually nothing to worry about, and they are pretty common in pullets starting to lay or birds that are starting up again after molting etc. For an individual bird, they seem to be a sign that there is a problem with her reproductive system if a hen is laying a lot of them, especially if her other eggs are thin shelled or otherwise abnormal, and the rest of the flock is normal. If you have a bunch of birds doing it, best look at some of the other possible causes like those listed in the article.
If you aren't already and are getting thin shelled eggs, you might want to be sure to offer the girls oyster shell on the side, even if you are feeding a complete layer feed, it won't hurt and may help. Older hens seem to be less efficient at using calcium, they often need more than pullets, especially since their eggs are so much bigger.. also remember that a three year old hen of a commercial laying breed is old, they are usually culled before that age.
If they don't get an infection, some birds can go on quite awhile, but it will usually wind up killing them. They really don't seem to do anything besides put them on antibiotics over here very often, in some places like the UK they seem to be more apt to do hormonal implants etc to keep them from laying. http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx

 

[jennifer 1891]

Very helpful information! I didn't realize there were any other options than to cull, which I just don't even want to think about. Yesterday, I got a thin shelled egg that she laid in the nest box. The other girls are laying like champs and the oyster shell is always available so I really think this is just her issue.

Is there a point where they just stop laying? I will definitely investigate the the hormonal implant or spaying (i can't imagine what it will cost) but I will keep an eye on her carefully to see if there are any behavioral changes.

Thanks for all of your help Kelsie2290.