Egg laying mystery - please help!

[sawyersch]

Hi everyone!

I am the proud owner of a small flock of three 1-year old Swedish Flower Hens that I've raised from day old chicks. We've been having some laying issues with two out of the three hens, and with bird flu concerns it's been challenging to track down a vet in our area. So turning to y'all in hopes of any answers or advice! My girls are pets so I'm not worried about egg production, but I don't want them to be uncomfortable or in danger.

Flock laying history
All three hens (hatched in March 2024) got bright red combs, started squatting and visiting the nest late last summer. Two of the hens (Fawkes and Hedwig) began laying shortly after. The third hen (Winky) continued visiting the nest and squatting but never actually laid an egg. After pausing for the winter, Fawkes and Hedwig began laying again in late Feb.

Fawkes (pictured)
After a couple weeks of consistent laying early this spring, Fawkes stopped suddenly. Now she continues to visit the nest at regular intervals and sits for long periods, but 9/10 times there is no egg when she leaves the nest. I've also caught her standing still in the yard, looking uncomfortable and awkward for long periods. Sometimes she lays an egg after this, sometimes she doesn't. The few eggs she has laid in the past couple weeks have been rough textured, sometimes with small streaks of blood.

Just now I was sitting with her in the yard and she suddenly laid an egg. The egg was covered in some sort of soft membrane? Does anyone know why/what this is? Attached a picture.

Otherwise she is eating, drinking, bright red comb, and looking normal - other than this weird laying behavior, she seems perfectly healthy. What could be causing her egg laying troubles? Is there any way to help her?

Winky
She has still never laid an egg at 1+ years old. She does go to the nest to sit for long periods at regular intervals, as if she was laying. But has never laid an egg while she is in there. She seems perfectly healthy - eating, drinking, alert and friendly, bright red comb. Is this something to worry about? I don't care if she never lays an egg, but I want to help her if something is wrong.

Hedwig
Lays normally and consistently, every 1-2 days like a champ.

All three hens eat Kalmbach organic layer crumbles, with oyster shell available. Daily treats include black soldier fly larvae and fresh blueberries. They "free range" in a covered and fenced portion of the yard.

Any help or advice would be so appreciated. I'm so anxious about their health and happiness and it really worries me to see Fawkes looking distressed. I love my girls so much!

 

[nuthatched]

Where did you get the birds?
Any signs of respiratory issues in your flock?

 

[sawyersch]

I got them from a local chicken breeder in my area! No signs at all of respiratory issues.

 

[nuthatched]

I got them from a local chicken breeder in my area! No signs at all of respiratory issues.

Have you contacted the breeder to see if it's the genetics?

 

[sawyersch]

Hmm - I have reached out but haven't heard back yet...

 

[Mrs. K]

Not all eggs are perfect - people new to chickens rather expect perfect eggs, because when they buy eggs they are - they have been sorted, with the misfit being sold to companies that need eggs to make their product.

Many people think that the diet has a huge influence, and perhaps it does over the long term as in years, but not so much in the short term, and you have one bird doing just fine with it.

Egg laying is mostly genetic. A kid who is going to be 6 feet tall, will be 6 feet even if he eats a hot dog, pop and chips once in a while. Actually even if he eats that mostly. Foods main job is calories to support life. As long as your birds are getting that, they are probably good.

As long as a bird is active, bright eyed, eating, drinking they are generally fine. Laying is nice, and it also is a good sign that a bird is healthy. But it is genetic, and I would not expect the non-layer to start laying, but she could.

I don't think you are doing anything wrong or have anything to worry about.

Mrs K

 

[sawyersch]

Not all eggs are perfect - people new to chickens rather expect perfect eggs, because when they buy eggs they are - they have been sorted, with the misfit being sold to companies that need eggs to make their product.

Many people think that the diet has a huge influence, and perhaps it does over the long term as in years, but not so much in the short term, and you have one bird doing just fine with it.

Egg laying is mostly genetic. A kid who is going to be 6 feet tall, will be 6 feet even if he eats a hot dog, pop and chips once in a while. Actually even if he eats that mostly. Foods main job is calories to support life. As long as your birds are getting that, they are probably good.

As long as a bird is active, bright eyed, eating, drinking they are generally fine. Laying is nice, and it also is a good sign that a bird is healthy. But it is genetic, and I would not expect the non-layer to start laying, but she could.

I don't think you are doing anything wrong or have anything to worry about.

Mrs K

Thank you, I really appreciate this perspective!