i think my chicken is broken?

Our take

Is your chicken feeling a bit, well, broken? If your feathered friend Donna has been laying eggs in less-than-ideal spots lately, it sounds like she might be facing a few clucky challenges. After moving her to a new coop, it’s common for chickens to take time to adjust, but her reluctance to use the new nesting boxes—combined with thin eggshells—might indicate something more. It’s possible she’s still recovering from her recent broody phase, or maybe she’s just out of practice! As she navigates this new laying routine, don’t fret. You’ve got this! Let’s explore some ways to support Donna’s egg-laying journey and ensure she gets back to business in no time. After all, every hen deserves her moment in the nesting box spotlight!

over the past few weeks, donna hasn’t been able to make it into the nesting boxes with her egg. she’s laid in a box maybe twice all month? i recently moved everyone into a new coop and she’s used those new boxes, and the other two layers are using them just fine. i even left the old coop open to help in case she’s not sure about the new ones.

her shell is super thin lately too. i just switched from layer feed to all flock (added a few new chicks) but she still has access to the oyster shells and is definitely eating them. she also gets most of the shell back when i cook up the eggs that break (most of them, since she’s laying on the roosting bar 🥹).

she’s about a month past a 10 week broody spell, so i was thinking she’s maybe just backed up and out of practice? which would account for the eggs coming around 5am most days? but i would’ve expected her to get back into the routine by now.

i have no idea of her age but is this maybe indicative of her laying cycle coming to an end? anything i can do to help her?

submitted by /u/mensfrightsactivists
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#chicken eggs#chicken breeds#chicken behavior#chicken myths#chicken anatomy#nesting boxes#egg#laying cycle#coop#oyster shells#chicken#layer feed#all flock#thin shell#broody spell#roosting bar#chick#Donna#practice#routines