[jaws]

Computer is playing up so this may be a duplicate
I have a couple of young hens who started laying about two weeks ago. The shell or lack of shell has been hit and miss - not sure which one is having the problem. Reading this site I thought it was just beginners problems and was going to give them more time before worrying. Last Mondy I got 4 unformed eggs - from one hen I think. I have about 1 out of three eggs with only leathery membrane/shell. They are mostly broken and ?eaten by the time I get to them in the morning. Today I found this - a membrany egg in this eggy mess and poo. The Amberline has been sitting in the coop for longer than usual and looked really "droopy" this afternoon and put herself to bed early while her companion was running round the garden. They were out in the garden all day over the weekend (as they often are) and seemed well. The chicken does not sound wheezy. Her bottom feathers are soiled and stiff - I think from runny egg picking up soil and drying. I felt around the vent area and it does not feel like there is an egg there - but I do not really know what I am looking for.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

[smiler43]

Mine were like that quite a bit when they were newly laying.  I'd say quite a few months every now and then they'd look like that and I'd get 1 or 2 soft or shell less eggs.  See how she is tomorrow usually after laying a soft egg they are fine but she might do another 1 has been known with mine.

[kimT]

Your hen is probably in shock after laying the egg you need to keep her warm and quiet while she recovers.
How old is the hen?
Have they got oyster shell available? 

[smiler43]

Yeah plenty of grit and try some limestone flour maybe for a while.  Helped mine out, or could have been coincidence!

[jaws]

Hens are probably 20+ weeks old - started laying for the first time about two weeks ago. They have a tub of oyster shell available at all times (thats all the shop had - nothing called grit) and have free range of the garden part of most days. White hen seems perkier this morning but another squish egg with thick membranous coating - looks a bit like that yucky stuff posted on the site some days ago - chicken intestines -  but I hope it is just soft shell.
Thanks for your suggestions - I'll give them a go.