My Highland 55 hen (1 yr. old) has laid a jellied like egg. No shell. It was formed like an egg but very rubbery. I broke it open & it did have a yoke inside. She had been acting sick in the morning, didn't eat or move. But after she laid this jelly egg she seemed fine. She eats crumbles & scratch, along with free ranging. What was wrong????

Diz, your "jellied" egg was actually an egg with no shell, just a membrane. I have been told this happens as a result of not enough calcium in their diet. Personally, I have had this happen a couple of times with one of my ducks and then she goes back to laying normal eggs. Try giving her some oyster shells, otherwise I wouldn't worry unless it keeps happening. Good luck. Mina

Diz, The soft shelled egg does not move down the canal like a nice wet shell does. The hen is miserable until it finally is layed. That is why she looked sick. She couldn't do a thing about it--just had to wait. After the soft shelled egg is layed, she is just fine again. Hopefully, it was a one time thing and if she is fed a good layer ration--and oystershell free choice, it may not happen again. It is common with pullets for one or two eggs, and common again in old hens, as the calcium drain, putting shells on an egg every day or two, is really tough on their systems. Fresh greens may give additional calcium, also. CJR