Calcium Coating and Cuckoo Marans

[silkie1472]

Good evening, all!

I have some cuckoo Marans that have just started laying. Upon picking up a freshly laid egg, I noticed that it was covered in calcium. The brown egg nearly appeared white.

I know this can indicate a diet too high in calcium, but they haven’t been on a layer feed too long. Perhaps it just spent too much time in the “Egg shell duct?”

Also, the eggs from my cuckoo marans are not very dark at all. Has anybody else noticed this with their own marans?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

 

[CindyinSD]

The black copper Marans are supposed to be the darkest egg layers, but a lot depends on breeding. Ditto all expected breed characteristics. As for your calcium coating, a pic might help but I think I know what you mean. I wouldn’t start worrying just yet. A pullet’s first few eggs are oftentimes odd.

 

[aart]

As for your calcium coating, a pic might help but I think I know what you mean. I wouldn’t start worrying just yet. A pullet’s first few eggs are oftentimes odd.

It would indeed....and Ditto Da Rest.

 

[silkie1472]

Here is a pic of the egg when I washed it (a

Here is a pic of the egg when it dries:

 

[aart]

Is the white stuff rough like sandpaper?
I wouldn't worry about it with a new layer, unless it continues.

 

[silkie1472]

No, it is really not rough at all. Looking at it, it appears to be a thick layer, but it’s not very thick at all. I’ve studied this before; it’s just my first time seeing it in real life, believe it or not.

 

[aart]

No, it is really not rough at all. Looking at it, it appears to be a thick layer, but it’s not very thick at all. I’ve studied this before; it’s just my first time seeing it in real life, believe it or not.

Could be excess bloom too.
Did you try scrubbing it off with a scrubbie pad?
Or not, I'd not worry.

 

[silkie1472]

Could be excess bloom too.
Did you try scrubbing it off with a scrubbie pad?
Or not, I'd not worry.

Sorry for the late reply!

I couldn’t get the coating to come off by scrubbing; however, the same pullet laid again today. The egg looked perfect, just small:

 

[CindyinSD]

Pullet eggs are small and gradually increase in size (usually). If they’re big it typically means there are two yolks. They lay eggs that are all kinds of strange when they’re new to it—and sometimes even when they’re not new. You don’t get those odd shapes in the grocery store, but these are REAL eggs and real isn’t always uniform.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I agree, I wouldn't worry too much about it unless it continues to happen. It's likely just a new layer glitch.