Chalky, rough eggs on the floor?

[CoopdeVillage]

Hello,

I'm curious about an egg issue, and I'm still new to this! I have six hens and five of them began laying in early July. They all lay consistently in their two nest boxes. But, within the last week, I have found two chalky-whitish rough texture eggs: one on the grass in the run (they're in a tractor) and one on the floor of the coop. Both rough, white eggs were laid significantly later in the day than the normal laying time (after 7pm). Tonight when I went to close the coop, there was one of these rough chalky eggs in the coop just laid between 7:30 and 8, and one of my white rocks was laying down on the floor of the coop (very unusual!) instead of on the roost. I'm not sure if it's related, but the other day there was a soft-shelled egg below the roost, which hasn't happened since they started laying in early July.

It had been very very hot and humid (well over 90°, heat index above 100°) for three days, but the heat broke this evening. Plus daylight is shortening. Also, there has been a big reduction (from hours a day to less than 30 mins) in the time my flock spends free ranging for each of four days since I've returned to work. There are a lot of variables that could cause stress I suppose.

Is there anything I should know or do? The white rock seems to be acting okay when she's with the flock, if she's even the one laying the strange eggs. None of the hens are acting noticeably differently.

Has anyone had a similar experience? I appreciate any ideas! Thank you!

 

[True Patriot]

Have you opened the eggs? It may just be a new layer getting the plumbing working right. If nothing else is wrong maybe give a couple of days to see.

 

[CoopdeVillage]

Hi, thanks for responding! The eggs are normal inside. If the suspect is who I think, she's been laying for almost two months and her eggs are almost full size. She's exhibited normal egg laying behaviors until two days ago, when I found the first chalky egg. The only non-layer so far is an Ancona, so that rules her out as she'd have white eggs. The BO could be a suspect as she started laying later than the other four, but I think she's laying the tiny, light beige eggs, since she's a newbie layer.

 

[True Patriot]

Has there been any changes in diet?

 

[MissChick@dee]

The heat has done some weird things to my eggs. A couple softies here and there. And one hen wound lay eggs that had heavier calcium deposits just on one end or with a ring of calcium. Make sure you keep your girls as cool as possible. Shade, perhaps wetting the ground. I use misters.
Watermelon or cucumbers naturally have more water in them. To me it’s just a heat related hiccup.

 

[ShellyBlanco]

It has been really hot hear in NE North Carolina the last few days. I have been slicing frozen watermelon rinds for the girls...they love it. I've been putting out bowls of fresh cold water every few hours (sitting in the shade). Mine started laying 8/2 and have not had anything weird yet. I think it may just be heat and water related. Good luck!