Stumped chicken owner

[YPcrcrla]

I have had a small backyard flock for about 3 years, typically 5-10 hens. We lose about half every year due to predators. We free-range the hens and coop them up at night. About a month ago we had a fox chase one of our best layers into the pool. She ended up surviving until I found her about 3 days later extremely lethargic in the corner of the nesting box. I isolated her immediately and looked her over for injuries again…again found nothing but a clump of feathers missing on her back. She passed a few hours later. 2 days later another of our best layers began isolating herself to the the nesting box. I nursed her back to health. She continues to act ‘broody’ now 4 weeks later. Another of the strong layers has had very thin-shelled eggs, but otherwise acts normal. 2 other hens have been acting and laying normally….they typically lay small eggs 3-4 times a week. I initially thought calcium deficiency, but the thin-shelled egg layer now has Ca deposits on her eggs, and shells are still thin. No signs of respiratory illness, mites, lice or worms. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Eggcessive]

I would try to break your broody, since she may become malnourished going on so long. Place her in a wire dog crate with food and water. A roost would also be helpful, but no bedding, so she will cool off.
There are a lot of possible causes of egg shell problems. Stress can be a big one, possible exposure to infectious bronchitis, and shell gland problems. Is there any way that you can build a larger coop and run, where you don’t have to free range or only when you are present? Were the ones who were taken by predators very old or grown hens? Are they all getting a balanced chicken layer feed with crushed oyster shell available in a separate container? Sorry for your loss.