Solitary chicken - need advice

[Clur]

I cleaned out the girls earlier and found a small, very soft egg shell in the poo tray. I suspect that only two of our three lay regularly, and think this is one from the chook who isn't really laying (though I can't know for sure).

 

There was nothing in the shell, no sign of there having been anything more anyway. Is it just one of those things? The girls are healthy, regularly wormed (flubenvet now), treated against mite and lice, have access to plenty of grit, havelimestone flour in with their food and get opportunity to freerange.

 

I'm not particularly worried, just curious and hoping someone may enlighten me....

Edited August 4, 2008 by Guest

[Clur]

I've just been out and found a perfect egg yolk in the poo tray, but absolutely no egg shell, nor any sign of one?

 

Can anyone shed any light?

[Hen Watch]

I've just been out and found a perfect egg yolk in the poo tray, but absolutely no egg shell, nor any sign of one?

Can anyone shed any light?

 

My lot will eat a thin soft shells in about a minute. Sometimes they eat the egg, sometimes they don't but they always eat the shells of softies. Happens so fast I rarely see it but I have caught them in the act a couple of times.

 

Maybe your girl laying softies is still just getting into the swing of things.

[Clur]

Thanks. I'm pretty sure only two of mine lay eggs, the third has never shown any real sign of doing so even though she's not far off a year old - is that possible that she'd still have a chance of kicking things off? May explain it...

[Snowy]

Some of them are late starters - even when they are meant to be a breed that lays really well. Maybe she is just a late developer. Does sound like one is either coming into lay, or going off lay. Hopefully it is not the latter!