soft/empty eggs

My hens have just started laying. I have 7 and I have noticed that there were 4 "empty" eggs.  The shell is soft and it feels a bit like plastic. There was nothing inside, just this empty "shell" Is this normal in the beginning? Do I need to give them more calcium? We have had 3 eggs in 2 days and 4 empty eggs. I don't know who is laying the eggs.

Also my one hen has this big red "ball" by her bum. She didn't have it yesterday. It is about the size of a golf ball. It is red and swollen. Should I be worried?


Thanks

Thanks, yes the eggs have no yolk or white. We do give them oyster shells and we dry our egg shells out in the oven for them. I was also told to give them the shells from shrimp or crabs? Will that also help?

Cat, the big red ball you describe sounds like a prolapse to me. That is where part of  the inside protrudes externally due to the strain of laying an egg. Check though there is no egg there as well.
If it has not returned to normal you will need to gently (after washing with tepid salty water) pop in back in, and apply some preparation H (piles cream from any chemist an will reduce the inflammed tissue) You can also give a child dispersible aspirin.
If it pops out again she will probably need to see a poultry friendly vet.
What are you feeding the hens on cat? might be a good idea to stop any treats ,including mixed corn for a while and make sure plenty of ad-lib oyster shell available to ensure they are getting enough calcium and not to many treats as a heavy hen is very prone to laying probs like prolapsing. Hope this helps and please keep us posted! Good luck!

OMG I missed that bit about the ball.  I must be half asleep today.

not got a wee headache ruff???

Nice view form your window Ruff 

The soft eggs will have ruptured and the chooks will have eaten the contents.  Foxy's advice about the prolapse is spot on.  If the problem continues the vet may advise you to separate her and reduce her feed to stop her laying eggs for a while so that the tissues can recover.

Thanks for all your help. I will check her again tomorrow morning. They are all asleep now. How often does this occur? We are going to Hong Kong next week for a few days and now I am worried that it will happen again. Our neighbor is going to look after them for the few days and I know she won't touch them. 

prolapse are an abnormal event, due to incorrect diet, overweight hens or simply the bird is predisposed to the problem. It might be worth separating her for now as the other hens might be tempted to peck at the exposed tissue.

good luck Cat... hope she gets sorted

Well I had her in a separate cage and she laid an egg this morning. She is not 100% better but I am sure with more cream and some more time she should be okay. I am so happy. It looks like we are on the road to recovery.