what the heck is going on????!!!!!!

[portlandpeeps]

okay so the first time was strange enough, but the second time I started to worry, but now it's happened again--one of our chickens has laid a completely shell-less egg for the 3rd time in about 2 weeks. In between there have been a few normal eggs. She's the only one laying right now since our other laying hen is broody and the others are too young.

Can anyone tell me what's going on?

I had to buy eggs at Costco yesterday--yikes!

 

[Chirpy]

Do they have access to oyster shell all the time?

 

[speckledhen]

Heat stress can cause that. Had it happen last summer. How hot is it where you are?

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi! Any stress (physical or 'emotional') can cause it.
I put up a new stretch of electric fence and nosy hens had to check it out --- zzzt!
I got shell-less eggs from those hens immediately after.
If it isn't stress from heat or some other event (and there are things that go on in the night that you might not be aware of, that might be stressing her), I would be looking at diet.
Good luck!
Lisa

 

[portlandpeeps]

Changes? hmmmm, let me see... there's the new coop, new coop mates, remodelers working outside for the last month, 100 degree weather last week, amazing thunderstorms... that's all I can think of that might cause some stress. Otherwise I haven't changed their food and they get oyster shells, grit and an occasional handful of cracked corn.

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions!

 

[silkiechicken]

Well, any one of the 5 things you listed could stress out the girls and cause the problem. Not much you can really do about any of them, but I'd venture to say #1 reason is the heat.