[beulah59]

When I took out their treats yesterday, I noticed Gertrude was walking (rather than running) rather oddly. So I picked her up, and then had to pick up another hen to compare, but I thought I could feel an egg. When I picked Gertrude up for the second time, there was what looked like egg white leaking from her vent, so she (or I during my poking around) had obviously broken an egg.

I’ve read so much about hen care now, on the various forums, so I knew what to do … go and get a bowl of warm water and bathe her nether regions. However, by the time I returned to the run with bowl and towel, there was an egg in the run … but what a funny egg! One end was soft and spongy, while the other was fairly normal.

So this morning, I kept a close eye on Gertrude … she seemed to be moving well and not waddling first thing. Then mid-morning I noticed she was in the nest box, and boy, did she holler! What a racket … but no egg.

And none from the other girls, either

Could it be the weather? It’s been wet and blowy for some few days now. Or not free ranging as much as they’d like? They didn’t get out at all on Sunday. Or are they ill? They all look sprightly enough.

Any thoughts?

[Roughlee Handled]

Er may be caught short?

Not to worry.

[newhen]

ahh, bless.

[Foxy]

With exbatts, this time of year will be the end of her second laying season, they do tend to lay strange odd looking eggs! Watch her diet very carefully,ie not too many treats or mixed corn. keep up the layers pellets (very important) and oyster shell adlib. She will need to build her calcium reserves over winter so that she will lay a few eggs next year for you as well as reduce the risk of egg laying complications.
If she is moulting, then a little poultry spice mixed with a teaspoon of cod liver oil in their feed twice a week will help top up her essential minerals.
Good luck!