? about wrinkled eggs?

[2overeasy000]

All my laying hens get layer pellets and crumbles, oyster shell and have a sandbox for bathing and eating little pebbles. I've done some reading and have found some to say that it may be a calcium deficiency. But, I find that hard to believe with them getting plenty of oyster shells. Does anyone have any idea why I would be getting a wrinkled egg. It seems like it is just the one hen. It doesn't really bother me, I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't something wrong with the hen that I could help fix. Thanks for any advice?

 

[Sorin]

I wouldn't worry about it, I have a Black Star that has laid wrinkled eggs from day one. My chickens are on Purina laying pellets and get plenty of free range time so like you, I'm sure it's not calcium deficiency. On top of that she is a laying machine!

And, I have hatched out 2 babies from her eggs, so I think that is just the type of eggs some chickens lay

 

[Mac in Wisco]

It's not a calcium deficiency. Wrinkled eggs are usually caused by respiratory problems.

 

[2overeasy000]

They usually get out to free range about an hour a day as well. I have not noticed any sneezing or panting. What would be some signs of respiratory problems?

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
Labored breathing, stretching neck to breath, discharge from eyes or nostrils. Many respiratory infections also affect the shell gland which results in the wrinkled eggs. Sometimes the hens recover from the respiratory infection but the shell gland remains damaged.

It may be one of things that you'll never pin down... but something is causing the wrinkled eggs. It may go away just as suddenly as it appeared and all you can do is shrug your shoulders.

How are you feeding oyster shells? Are you mixing any calcium supplements into their feed that would cause them to get too much? Too much can cause problems as well as too little.

 

[2overeasy000]

Thanks for the input. I will keep an eye out for any respiratory problems. She seems healthy to me so far. I wonder if being attacked by a Red Tail Hawk in the fall has anything to do with it. I just remember that our RIR, which is the one that is laying the wrinkled eggs was attacked in the fall and bleeding from the neck. But, I was able to patch her up and she has seemed fine to me ever since and still lays almost daily. Thanks again.