[Bonniebean]

Before I posted this I did have a look at posts regarding shell less eggs but would like some more advice please!
All four of my hens have laid their usual lovely eggs today, but I just went out with a little corn for their supper treat and found a perfect egg yolk on the ground, and about a foot away was the white sac - no sign of a shell!
I have no idea who laid it, all their bottoms look good and no one is showing signs of distress. They didn't come to POL until Jan/Feb/March so they are not old and certainly not ready to moult. Is this likely to be a one off? They have pellets daily, some greens, a little corn, and mixed grit is available all the time. They are all pure breeds, and the first to lay today was the gold laced wyandotte so I feel she is the most likely culprit.
Any help would be much appreciated as it was rather a surprise!

[azubah]

I'll put in my two penneth as no-one more experienced has given an answer. I would think that it was a one off.
Did you get 4 eggs today? The yolk may have been one of today's eggs delivered too early to put a shell on it.
I would not worry unless it happens regularly. Hope the culprit settles down and produces good eggs in future. 

[pink aubergine]

It happens occaisionally, especially when they are new. In my 20 years of chicken keeping, we haven't had more than half a dozen in all that time (from max 6 chucks)

[Bonniebean]

Thanks for the replies! I only had 3 eggs today - the orp banty went to the nest this morning but nothing happened so I guess it must be her. She seems ok but I'll keep an eye on her - she has been laying the longest, since Christmas eve, so she's done well.
It was the fact that the yolk was completely separate from the white that threw me, but I guess it must have popped through a split in the white. It did break my heart to see such a beautiful yolk go to waste!!!!

[azubah]

I know how you feel about the waste yolk. I dropped an egg once and scooped most of it up and as it was clean I scrambled it and cooked it for the hens. They loved it. The ultimate in recycling.

[LittleRedHen]

It's a bit of luck really.  I have one hen that does stuff like that regularly, and three other hens that never do it at all.  Who knows why?

[hillfooter]

It's not unusual with young hens and doesn't necessarily mean it will be a recurring thing so don't worry and keep their nutrition the same as you are doing.  The biggest mistake is to take drastic action and start to force feed calcium at the first sign.
Best of luck
HF

[Bonniebean]

Thanks HF, appreciate the response - all seems well so far!