New pullet layer acting oddly...

Pullet laid 6 eggs last week and since then nothing. She's gone into the nest a few times and acted like she was going to lay, panting, turning about, butt in the air, but has never actually laid anything. She appears happy and healthy and isn't even really straining in the nest as near as I can tell. She seems like she might be having a minor go at it, but it doesn't really seem like she's pushing something all that hard.

Her last egg I found was soft shelled and she laid it off the roost. She has plenty of crushed oyster available to her.

Her nest still has some training eggs in it, as she's the first of 10 hens to lay and I want everyone to know where to go.

I'm not sure if she's not doing well? Confused because this is all new to her? Or she may be exhibiting broody tendencies on the fake eggs and will eventually want to raise chicks? She eventually gets up, has a shake and something to eat, and then goes to join her flockmates perfectly normal, happy and chickeny.

Thoughts?

That's not broodiness. It's good that she's active and not straining to lay when she goes to the box (or the concern then would be a soft egg stuck in the system). My guess is, as a newer layer, she's still working out kinks in her system and still needs time to acclimate to a more "normal" laying cycle.

Thanks. I'll keep an eye on her I guess. She seems like she goes to sleep in the middle of this cycle for about 3-5 minutes before she decides to get out of the nest and go on about her day. Do hens have a bit of a rest after/during laying like ladies do during labor sometimes?

chickfused said:

Thanks. I'll keep an eye on her I guess. She seems like she goes to sleep in the middle of this cycle for about 3-5 minutes before she decides to get out of the nest and go on about her day. Do hens have a bit of a rest after/during laying like ladies do during labor sometimes?

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Some chickens will lounge in nests after laying, so maybe she's doing something like that. Even though she's not laying she might still think she's laying, because these hormones are new to her, so she's going through the motions of going to the box, sitting there a bit, and then going on with her day. But as long as she's bright eyed and eating well and active I wouldn't worry about it at this time.

chickfused said:

Her last egg I found was soft shelled and she laid it off the roost. She has plenty of crushed oyster available to her.

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But is she eating them?
Might want to sprinkle some around on the ground or give her a private breakfast with calcium supplement added.

aart said:

But is she eating them?
Might want to sprinkle some around on the ground or give her a private breakfast with calcium supplement added.

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This could be happening. I have one that won't each the oyster shells flakes (everyone else loves them) so I do crush her up some egg shells and throw them down for her and she gobbles them up. I didn't realize she wasn't eating them until she laid a soft egg.

WIchickMama said:

This could be happening. I have one that won't each the oyster shells flakes (everyone else loves them) so I do crush her up some egg shells and throw them down for her and she gobbles them up. I didn't realize she wasn't eating them until she laid a soft egg.

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Might try mixing the crushed chicken egg shells in with the oyster shells.

I honestly think this may be the issue. I haven't ever seen anyone eat any of the oyster shells. I could get her to drink milk too, she loves it.

chickfused said:

I could get her to drink milk too, she loves it.

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What all and how exactly are you feeding?

I don't think milk is a good idea.
A good chicken ration and fresh plain water is the best route to go.

chickfused said:

I honestly think this may be the issue. I haven't ever seen anyone eat any of the oyster shells. I could get her to drink milk too, she loves it.

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Milk will just cause diarrhea, so better supply some calcium citrate tablets, or even better calcium + vitamin D3 + vitamin K.