Appreciate any help - my first post. I have several chickens that lay brown eggs - one a Rhode Island Red (5 yrs) and 2 Barred Rocks (2.5 years). This is the second day that one of them has had trouble laying, and the result is a very deformed egg. She is leaving these in the nesting box. No change in diet, egg layer feed, lots of cool water and 1x week they get egg shells. Otherwise, all are very active. Here is a photo of the egg.
My thought is that one of your RIRs is going out of lay and that's why you're getting these strange carrot-like eggs. How's her crest and wattle colors? Are her hip bones closing?
They may not be getting enough calcium. Egg shells may not be enough, they may need crushed oyster shell. Other idea is your 5 year old hen is laying them. She is way past her prime for egg laying..
Just checked her colors - and she looks the same, eyes are clear and bright, and comb and waddle color is nice red (not pale). Not sure what you mean about her hips though - what should I look for?
Wow... thanks for that pic. My chickens have not started laying yet, but I appreciate the information for any future problems that may occur.
Quote:My first thought was that they need more calcium. Try giving Oyster Shells. I just leave a dish (kitty food dish) free choice in each pen/coop. They only eat what they need. Layer feed has the minimum amount of calcium necessary for most hens. Others just need more.
