[GARRY]

 can you tell me why the egg looks like this the hen is 9 mounths old and has been laying some soft eggs over the winter photos to come

[andreadon]

it happens a lot in the winter when they use most of their food to keep them warm.
Some chickens stop laying altogether.
Put some extra grit in the run (we dug loads of fresh soil and threw it in)
a bit of milk wouldn't go amiss (I know some will disagree with me there, but that's what I do!)
Give them as many greens as you can - they love savoy cabbage.
the main answer is grit, though.

[Vember]

It doesn't look unlike the weird ones that Crumb (Goose) was laying last year, only difference there is they seemed as if they'd been joined together   I was told afterwards it was likely she had been egg bound & was lucky to still have her
Pictures of those eggs are here :

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=21065.0

Looks like your girl had a hard time getting that one out ?? Have you checked her over round her vent? Just to make sure she hasn't prolapsed?

A bit of extra calcium may be of benefit to her, not only helps with egg production but can also help if they're egg bound. I read that Calcium injections given by a vet help the muscles relax. So in desperation I gave Crumb 1/4 of a calcium tablet (wouldn't give this much to a hen though!) and that did the trick - well she was ok after an the egg came out

There is a product called Calcivit which might be an idea to get, I think this is added to their water.
The other thing to try would be so Limestone Powder added to feed. You can get that from most horesy/feed supply places.

Sarah

[andreadon]

vember's right - i was going to suggest a calcium supplement but i couldn't think of one!

[karlooben]

thats so grosssssssssssssssssssss  sorry didnt know what  else to say  hehehehehehe

[GARRY]

SHE IS OK..THERE IS SHELL DOWN ALL THE TIME ,AND SHE WONT GO NEAR LIMESTONE FLOUR THE OTHER HENS EGGS ARE FINE NICE AND YELLOW IN SIDE THAY HAVE LOTS OF GREENS   

[shiatsusu]

I couldn't tell from the pic whether the shell was soft? I know they can lay soft shells when stressed eg planes flying low overhead or lots of rook or other low flying bird activity nearby

[GARRY]

NO BIRDS OR PLANES AND IT IS NOT SOFT