Does this wonky egg mean disease?!

[arihen]

One of my hens has laid an eggless shell before but this alien egg is new to me! any advice?

 

[Devyn Nagy]

That's interesting. I know that egg anomalies like this sometimes occur normally. I can't think of any diseases off the top of my head that would cause this. but I don't have much experience with chicken diseases (thankfully) so it is possible. Hopefully others will also respond that are more knowledgeable.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

View attachment 3894140One of my hens has laid an eggless shell before but this alien egg is new to me! any advice?

It's an egg with tail.

What do you feed including treats?
Do you provide oyster shells free choice?

If it's a one time thing, it's really not a concern, it's just the way the egg was sitting in the shell gland, extra membrane/shell has been applied and then stretched.

Since you have a hen that laid a shell-less egg, is she the same one that laid this one?

IF it's her, then I would consider giving her Extra Calcium for a week. Walmart, CVS, etc. carry Calcium Citrate+D3, give your hen 1 tablet a day for 7 days. See if this corrects the problems.

 

[arihen]

It's an egg with tail.

What do you feed including treats?
Do you provide oyster shells free choice?

If it's a one time thing, it's really not a concern, it's just the way the egg was sitting in the shell gland, extra membrane/shell has been applied and then stretched.

Since you have a hen that laid a shell-less egg, is she the same one that laid this one?

IF it's her, then I would consider giving her Extra Calcium for a week. Walmart, CVS, etc. carry Calcium Citrate+D3, give your hen 1 tablet a day for 7 days. See if this corrects the problems.

I’m pretty sure she’s the same one! They get regular 14% protein layer feed pellets with a scoop of omega egg maker supplements. Oh and my family loves to give them black soldier fly larvae so they get LOTS of those.

I’ve also been finding my Brahma eggs broken or sometimes with a hole on the tip! Not sure if that means she’s making weak shells or she’s pecking at them intentionally… Either way I’ll definitely be getting some oyster shells and i’ll pick up the calcium tablets after work!

I’m not sure how to give them to her though… Do I stuff the pill in her beak or dissolve it in water?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They get regular 14% protein layer feed pellets with a scoop of omega egg maker supplements.

Interesting, I've never seen 14% protein feed. The lowest I've seen is 16%. Are you in the US? I feed a 20% all-flock formula with oyster shell and grit on the side in separate bowls. See if you can have the family cut back on the fly larvae, they may be filling up on these treats and not getting enough of the commercial feed to meet their daily requirements of proper nutrients. It's like letting kids fill up on cookies and candy and then having no appetite for their good, balanced dinner. A teaspoon a day per chicken is plenty (and not even every day, actually), remember it's a TREAT!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Do I stuff the pill in her beak or dissolve it in water?

Yes, pull down on her wattles to open her beak and pop it in. She can swallow it whole though she may try to tell you otherwise. A helper to hold her may make it easier.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I’m pretty sure she’s the same one! They get regular 14% protein layer feed pellets with a scoop of omega egg maker supplements. Oh and my family loves to give them black soldier fly larvae so they get LOTS of those.

I’ve also been finding my Brahma eggs broken or sometimes with a hole on the tip! Not sure if that means she’s making weak shells or she’s pecking at them intentionally… Either way I’ll definitely be getting some oyster shells and i’ll pick up the calcium tablets after work!

I’m not sure how to give them to her though… Do I stuff the pill in her beak or dissolve it in water?

I would aim for at least a 16% protein layer feed. Limit the BSL and while they are a source of protein and other nutrients, they can be high in fat too.

Try the Calcium for a week and see if that helps with shell quality.

Just give her the tablet orally. I pull down on the wattles to open the beak, pop the tablet in and let them swallow.

 

[Themellowyellows]

Just following, but does your hen lay every day?