Weird egg laying

[iam4hymn]

One day about 2 weeks ago I walked into the coop and found a thin shelled egg broken under the roost. I didn't think much of it but thought it was strange. A couple days later one of my Sussex girls was squatting in the yard and let out a tiny poop then a regular sized rubber egg. Today in the yard by the waterer I found a regular egg with a small calcium bump on it sitting in the yard covered in poop. I have no idea who laid it there, but I am wondering if it my same Sussex every time. I have also noticed that within the last couple of weeks she seems to have dried poo running down her fluffy butt which was not normal for her. What could be the reason I am finding eggs in strange places and strange eggs? If it is the same chickie, what could be wrong with her? Help!

 

[junebuggena]

How old is your flock? Shell-less eggs are very common for new layers, even if they have access to calcium. It's also very normal to find eggs in random places if you don't have any older hens to show them how to use the nest boxes. It can take new layers several weeks for all the parts of their egg laying system to start working together on a consistent and regular basis.
Dummy eggs in the nest box will help encourage them to lay their eggs where you want them.

 

[iam4hymn]

The older girls are at least 15+ months and the babies are only 16 weeks. My sussex are the mature hens. They have beautiful clean nesting boxes and plenty to choose from. It has been a weird few weeks.

 

[junebuggena]

It's just about time for the older girls to start their first big molt. The occasional shell-less eggs can happen just before molting, as well.