Extremely thick white albumen

[Low Dog Farm]

One of my hens has been laying eggs with an extremely thick white albumen surrounding a normal yolk. The shell is normal as well. The other eggs I collect have the normal fresh egg thickness in the albumen but these eggs from this hen are so thick they hold shape when the shell is cracked and it's milky white. What is the issue here? Does anyone know?

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

Not sure I've heard of that issue before, can you post a pic?
How old is the bird and how long has she been laying?
Has she always laid eggs like this?

If only one bird is laying funky eggs, it's the bird.... not the diet or environment.
There are odd things that happen inside there, not all are identifiable or 'fixable'.

 

[Low Dog Farm]

Thank you. I'll take a pic as soon as I open the next one. I'm not sure of the age but I think about 3 yrs old.

 

[Low Dog Farm]

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[Low Dog Farm]

 

[aart]

Almost looks like there's more membrane wrapped around that?
What happens when you pick at it with a single sharp fork tine...or something?
Wish I could touch it.
Sorry, I have no idea what the deal is there.....I even did some searching and couldn't find anything.
other than you can get some funky eggs, especially with older birds, and there's not always an answer.
Something is off in her system, wish I could tell you what it is.

 

[Low Dog Farm]

Yes, it's like an extremely thick membrane. You can tear it open and there's a perfectly normal yolk inside. The problem is that it's almost as though there is very little egg white in the presence of the his abnormal membrane-like stuff. I should see if the regular membrane is present as well. I've been searching everywhere and can't find a thing. She lays at least 5 days a week so this is so disappointing as I'm not comfortabe using these eggs.

 

[ArizonaChick9]

I have been doing a bit of research on this today and have found that in extremely fresh eggs, the egg white can be cloudy due to the presence of natural carbon dioxide that has not had time to escape the shell. Do you remember how fresh this egg was?

 

[Mrs. K]

I myself have a hen that is laying pretty thick whites, but hers are clear. I love them poached. I much prefer a thick white, verse a thin white, that the yolk almost pops out of the white when cooking.

 

[Libellule211]

Yes, it's like an extremely thick membrane. You can tear it open and there's a perfectly normal yolk inside. The problem is that it's almost as though there is very little egg white in the presence of the his abnormal membrane-like stuff. I should see if the regular membrane is present as well. I've been searching everywhere and can't find a thing. She lays at least 5 days a week so this is so disappointing as I'm not comfortabe using these eggs.

Hi! I have the exact same issue With one of my chickens. Have you figured out what is happening since these messages were posted? Thank you!