Funny Eggs!

RichieChickies · Apr 29, 2014

We have a flock of 30 RIR's. I just took over chicken duty and noticed that the shells are not what they should be. Mottled, extra calcium coating (some look whitewashed), wrinkling, and little "nipples" on them. Plus I have had two in a week that were shell-less! From the research I have done, I think it could be one of two things. But help me here! Maybe it is too much calcium. Maybe it is infectious bronchitis. I really have no idea. The eggs have been looking better since they have been able to free range and forage lately. Leads me to the too much calcium idea... Thank you for any help you can give!

ChickensAreSweet · Apr 29, 2014

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/1/egg-quality-handbook/23/mottled-or-glassy-shells
This website has a left column where you can click on the various types of eggs to see the possibilities. I hope this helps.

What are you feeding?

Do they have oyster shell on the side?

How many treats/extra scratch are they receiving?

RichieChickies · May 3, 2014

They get a scoop of scratch with corn, sorghum, and black oil sunflower in the evenings. The feed is egg-a-day, so it has the extra calcium. I have oyster shell but have not been adding it as the feed has so much already. They free range during the day most days, so their general diet is good. especially when the school farm gets the vegetables going. They are welcome to range in there also. Nom nom nom, bugs and worms and over-ripe veggies!

ChickensAreSweet · May 3, 2014

RichieChickies said:
They get a scoop of scratch with corn, sorghum, and black oil sunflower in the evenings. The feed is egg-a-day, so it has the extra calcium. I have oyster shell but have not been adding it as the feed has so much already. They free range during the day most days, so their general diet is good. especially when the school farm gets the vegetables going. They are welcome to range in there also. Nom nom nom, bugs and worms and over-ripe veggies!

Even if you are feeding layer feed with added calcium, I still recommend putting a bowl of oyster shell on the side for them, so they can self-regulate their calcium.

Hopefully that will help the eggshells.

I like to keep layer feed out in the coop for them - it doesn't go empty, so they can fill their crops all day. It sounds like your layer feed and treats are all OK, but I would add the oyster shell and see what happens. It can make a big difference!