[SusieB]

My ex-batt has laid a shell-less egg. How can I tell if there was a shell and it's still inside the chicken?  There is absolutely no bits of shell on the egg, and I have put my finger a little way into her vent and I can't feel an leftover bits of shell.  (I didn't want to feel to far into the vent, for fear doing damage/upsetting her.)
She's been a bit quiet and her tails a little down, but she's tottling around eating grass and bugs.  She was stood stock still for periods, before she laid the shell-less egg, but has stopped doing that now. 
It seems a bit early to take her to the vet, but I always worry at the weekend.

[the Kergan]

I have seen this before on the farm and the chickens didn't seem any worse for wear. I think this could be a common thing and nothing to really worry about.

Have a look at the link below, plus there is lots on google about it

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6164

[SusieB]

Thank you, I have read a bit more now and it does seem common.   I think I am over worrying, but the chicken doesn't seem a hundred per cent.  She's busy, but her tail is down, and she's a bit subdued. 

[Madrat]

Try giving her some marmite and some bio yogurt (not mixed together)   that normally picks mine up.  If things don't improve call the vet.

[chookboy]

We've had several 'shell-less' eggs - as far as I know, nothing to really worry about unless it continues.

Make sure she has access to extra calcium - oyster shell or at a pinch, crushed egg shell. Ours get plenty of calcium from all the snails they eat, but still have a pot of oyster shell and a pot of crushed egg shell.

[SusieB]

They have access to oyster shell, but never seem to touch it.   I crush egg shells, but they both lay thin shelled eggs, so probably not brilliant for calcium.  I give them poultry spice, which has calcium in, but probably a negigible amount.  I give them yoghurt which they love, but the vet has said it's debatable whether they can digest it(!)  I wish there was an easier solution.
I wonder if thin/no shells problems are because they are ex-batts.