Soft egg dropped at night

[Twin Willows]

We have an 18 month old Black Australorp that about every 2 weeks or so will drop a soft shelled (immature) egg at night while she is on the roost. I assume she is sleeping while she does this. At other times she will lay a normal egg in the nesting area. I'm giving them a commercial ground limestone/crushed oyster shell mix, I'm wondering if I should also add straight crushed oyster shells. Or, does she have a physical problem? Has anyone else had a problem like this?

 

[Hippie Chicks Mom]

I did have one of my RIRs do this once. She had not laid during the day and I thought she was egg bound, but then in the morning an egg with inside intact and a soft shell passed in 2 pieces. Just a glitch in the system I guess.

 

[mdbokc]

I see one on rare occasions in our flock. Even with everything right, just happens.

 

[smsabean]

I see this occassionally as well. One evening I noticed a hen looking uncomfortable and picked her up to examine her. Just as I picked her up, a shellless egg dropped out. I've seen the occassional soft shelled egg dropped from the roost at night. I wonder if they have more difficult laying the egg when it is soft shelled or shell-less so it takes longer to come. However, the hen seemed to be fine and went on to lay good eggs.

 

[Twin Willows]

Yes, she is probably alright, maybe she had a nightmare! After reading some of the problems that other owner's have, I guess this is pretty minor, along with a cracked egg in a nest on occasion. Thanks for the help and advice!