Soft shell on the run?

[HoneysuckleHomestead]

Had an odd situation tonight.
Earlier, I had let the flock out of their fence to roam the yard and hopefully eat a few mosquitoes.
Just came out to check on them (it's way past roosting time) and lock the fence back up when I noticed 2 hens that hadn't found their way back in yet. I coaxed them in the right direction and when one hen made her way back in she started fluffing up and not walking. She was grunting like she was "having contractions" then laid an egg right in front of me. Off she runs to the roost.
I pick up the egg and it's a soft shell. First one ever. I should also note that they regularly get free-fed oyster shell.

My question, and reason for the backstory, is that if a soft shell egg could be caused by stress (from not finding the roost)?

Thanks for any input!

 

[aart]

My question, and reason for the backstory, is that if a soft shell egg could be caused by stress (from not finding the roost)?

Ehhh...maybe.
Lots of reasons for softies.
How old is bird?
Might not be the first softie, they can get broken and eaten up pretty quickly leaving little trace in a range situation. They are often laid out of the nest because they don't 'feel' like an egg.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

No, it's probably not from finding the nest. I would mark it up to a glitch unless it becomes consistent.

 

[HoneysuckleHomestead]

Ehhh...maybe.
Lots of reasons for softies.
How old is bird?
Might not be the first softie, they can get broken and eaten up pretty quickly leaving little trace in a range situation. They are often laid out of the nest because they don't 'feel' like an egg.

She's almost a year old, and has been laying for about 4 months now.