Speckled egg but my chickens don't lay speckled eggs...

[Bocktobery 10]

Hello,

Concerned chicken mommy here hoping someone might know something about this potential problem I found today.

I noticed today that one of the eggs I collected was speckled and that the speckles were upraised- obviously not a part of the shell coloring. So, I thought that this was odd and so I tried to wash the speckles off, thinking it was maybe dirt- really just wondering what the heck it was. Well, the speckles did wash off and left a reddish pink oily residue (very lightly) on the paper towel that I used to dry the egg off with.

For you experienced chicken people, does this sound like a serious problem to you? It seemed the speckles were encased or had dried onto within that protective residue in which eggs have- I don't know what it is called but it helps protect the egg/chick to grow inside. (This protective encasement that I am talking about is clear and not really noticeable once an egg has been sitting around for a while.) Could this be mites or lice or some other problem?

The chickens seem to be fine otherwise but then again I am a newbie and I am realize I may not be as experienced to notice something wrong. They are active and eating as well as they ever had. I would appreciate any suggestions... Also, can anyone recommend a really good in-depth book about chicken ailments and treatments?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Calcium deposits?

 

[Kansaseq]

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/1/egg-quality-handbook/21/pimples

Try this site. It may help.

 

[Denninmi]

I know what you're talking about. I don't know what it's called, or what causes it, but it seems completely harmless. It just happens every once in a while. I wouldn't worry about it if everything else seems OK.

 

[Illia]

Not a problem at all. Especially in young pullets (age 5 months to 12 months) it will happen.

 

[donrae]

Just happens on and off. Like double yolkers, weird shaped eggs, eggs with ridges on them, bumps, speckles, lumps and warts (just kidding there

) and forgetting to put the shell on altogether.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I've had all of the above except a double yolker, still waiting on that one.

 

[scgamecock]

She needs to clean her spray nozzle out.

 

[Bocktobery 10]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

I'm pretty sure they are not calcium deposits. Its not exactly attached to the shell. It is upraised but I could wash them off- that is what concerned me. My chickens are not a year old yet and there are three that are not laying yet. Yeah, it does seem like whomever it was needed to do a 'chimney sweep'. Whatever it was it did not seem like poo or calcium deposits. It looked just like a speckled egg upon looking at it. Doesn't look like my bedding or anything I feed them. After wiping it off, it left an oily pink residue on the paper towel. I got concerned it was blood spotting or something indicative of an internal problem.

Anyway... if that is what you had also, then I guess she should be ok... One less worry for this season! I am new to this and worrying like a new momma over anything different!

Thanks again!

 

[ChickenGirl3]

My chicken had that to,

?