Abnormal Chalky Egg

[szczur]

I get these chalky eggs every so often from 3 out of 6 laying pullets. These are all eggs from the same bird:

I'm pretty sure it is always the same 3 laying the chalky ones. They were all fall babies who started laying for spring. Anybody know what causes a chalky egg? I can scrub them pretty hard and it only seems that very small edges of the chalkiness will come off. When the water hits it, the chalk marks turn clear, but when it dries they come back again. The hen this egg came from is a flighty bird who alarm calls over a strong wind and often also lays slightly wrinkled eggs (I'm thinking from stress and retaining the egg until she feels safe). The other 5 do not lay wrinkly eggs.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Stress can cause them so that sounds like a likely reason. I've also read about hens coming into lay during the spring, increasing daylight, as opposed to the fall, decreasing daylight, that it can mess with their system and cause it to be out of whack. It's recommended that the light they receive should be managed to mimic fall so they develop normally. I haven't read up on it more because I've always gotten spring or early summer chicks.

 

[aart]

Some of my birds lay eggs with varying levels bloom that makes the eggs kind of glossy, some very glossy.
Some do not have this heavy bloom and they have a more matte 'finish'.
Doubt it's anything to be worried about, if all else is fine.

 

[sumi]

See here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/common-egg-quality-problems