Egg with tons of tiny "eggs" on it?

[paneubert]

Anyone ever see an egg with tons of tiny dots on it? They are hard like the shell. Also worth mentioning this is a quail egg, and it is tiny even for a quail. It is for sure a fart egg/fairy egg, etc... The size doesn't concern me as much as the weird layer of hard dots on the outside, after it has been "painted" with its pattern. That is what seems weird.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I believe they are calcium deposits. What are you feeding them?

 

[paneubert]

I believe they are calcium deposits. What are you feeding them?

That was the theory in the Quail forum as well. They are on gamebird feed/turkey starter (called both names depending on who you ask). 28% protein, but I don't believe the calcium percentage is at any elevated level compared to any of the other non-layer specific feeds out there. The feed I use is probably closest to a "meatbird" formula if you were looking for a chicken feed comparison.

Just checked. Min 1.05% max 1.55% calcium.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Can you scratch them off?

 

[micstrachan]

I think they are insect eggs. I had something exactly like that on the bird netting around my little veggie boxes last year.

 

[paneubert]

I think they are insect eggs. I had something exactly like that on the bird netting around my little veggie boxes last year.

Maybe. The only reason I would think not is that I check for eggs pretty often, so there was not a large window of opportunity for something to mess with the egg after it was laid. But who knows!

 

[GottaHatchAPlan]

I just came across an article describing this phenomenon while trying to figure out my own weird egg problem. This looks like an extreme case of 'Pimpled Eggs': http://www.yellowbirchhobbyfarm.com/weird-eggs-101-the-oddities-explained/
It says that this can be due to 'either age, poor nutrition, and even breed'. So, in case that helps?