INTERESTING. What is going on with these eggs?

[townchicks]

It could be the change in food, I switched food this summer, still layer, but a different brand. Odd thing is, one of my EE has gone stronger color, and one of them has gone nearly white. It could be a cycle thing though, the EE whose color improved started her molt first, and slowed laying, but never really quit, and has gone back to regular laying since she has nearly finished molting. Neither of my girls lay every day though. I have one RIR, and the color of her eggs varies somewhat from day to day.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

I'm going to show you some pictures of eggs that are all from the same chicken, a 2½ year old Easter Egger. We named her Jewel with the expectation she would give us beautiful jewel-toned green or blue eggs. Well, we got gypped on color, but she has been the best laying hen ever!

Currently, she's my only laying hen. My three others are not at POL... not red enough and not displaying the submissive squat yet. So I know all of these eggs are from Jewel.


Why are they different colors?
Ranging from light brown, to almost white, to almost pink?
View attachment 1541375 View attachment 1541376
I don't know how I ended up with a whole dozen -I guess because I had to buy some eggs at the store and then these just added up... which made me notice how different they are.


And I noticed something else that happens occasionally.
What are these raised spots?
View attachment 1541377


A super close-up
View attachment 1541379

Because I have mixed ages, I've been feeding everyone Purina Flock Raiser... with oyster shells always available.
I used to feed regular layer pellets before I got the chicks.
Am I doing something wrong?

I am mobile right now and can't read all of the replies since there are 3 pages. So if the link I am providing is duplicate, forgive me.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/common-egg-quality-problems.65923/#comment-504683
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/common-egg-quality-problems.65923/#comment-504683
If it not duplicate, I hope it can assist you.
-connie

 

[staceyj]

Yes, I didn't really want to put Jewel on a different feed, but I definitely didn't want the young ones eating layer and it was impossible to keep separate. I've heard many people just always feed FR and offer OS on the side.
So, is it a bad idea to switch back to layer? I will probably get more chicks sometime in the future... which would mean back to flock raiser! So what's best?

Maybe this whole weirdness is because she's molting a bit. I just never noticed different eggs before.

**Totally off topic ** I thought that close up was great too! So interesting.
I got a new Galaxy S9 phone that takes awesome pics

Creating an egg a day requires a huge amount of protein, but also growing a whole body’s worth of new feathers ALSO requires a huge amount of protein....
Which is why egg production can slow or stop during molting season.
Personally I feed AF w/ oyster shell on the side and also offer baked off egg shells because one of my girls never touches the oystershell and there’s only one brand available where I live.

A layer feed generally has 16% protein and just enough calcium, which is the minimal/some day perfect amount ....
But...
If you feed any treats or your birds free range and/ or have access to grass and whatnot that protein percentage can be terribly diluted as that rush past their feed for something they think might be tastier.

 

[feathermaid]

I also feed flock raiser with OS on the side. Have for many years, I have roo's so don't want them getting too much calcium. And I don't supplement light in the winter, those that take a vacation just get to rest. I have seen more of the calcium deposits on my EE eggs, once in a while on another breed, it's never been an issue. No idea why EE's might be more prone to that. I find my hens seem to do better on the flock raiser, the bit of extra protein seems to be a good thing for them. But, as said, do what works for you. I'd probably stick it out for a bit to see if things settle down, and then switch if you aren't happy with how things are going. Anytime you change feeds, either way, there will be an adjustment period.

I think you and many others are on to something! I've never fed the flock raiser before... the egg variations were just something I noticed... not too concerned, her eggs still taste great!
But like you said, I'm more concerned about switching food too frequently --probably more harm than good. So I think I will stick it out. Thanks!

 

[Akrnaf2]

I'm going to show you some pictures of eggs that are all from the same chicken, a 2½ year old Easter Egger. We named her Jewel with the expectation she would give us beautiful jewel-toned green or blue eggs. Well, we got gypped on color, but she has been the best laying hen ever!

Currently, she's my only laying hen. My three others are not at POL... not red enough and not displaying the submissive squat yet. So I know all of these eggs are from Jewel.


Why are they different colors?
Ranging from light brown, to almost white, to almost pink?
View attachment 1541375 View attachment 1541376
I don't know how I ended up with a whole dozen -I guess because I had to buy some eggs at the store and then these just added up... which made me notice how different they are.


And I noticed something else that happens occasionally.
What are these raised spots?
View attachment 1541377


A super close-up
View attachment 1541379

Because I have mixed ages, I've been feeding everyone Purina Flock Raiser... with oyster shells always available.
I used to feed regular layer pellets before I got the chicks.
Am I doing something wrong?

Extra Calcium.

 

[feathermaid]

It could be the change in food, I switched food this summer, still layer, but a different brand. Odd thing is, one of my EE has gone stronger color, and one of them has gone nearly white. It could be a cycle thing though, the EE whose color improved started her molt first, and slowed laying, but never really quit, and has gone back to regular laying since she has nearly finished molting. Neither of my girls lay every day though. I have one RIR, and the color of her eggs varies somewhat from day to day.

The color variations are so interesting. I remember reading something a long time ago about... a hen will never change the color of eggs she lays. That must have meant change from brown to green, or white to brown etc... but apparently fluctuating shades of the same color is fair game!

 

[feathermaid]

I am mobile right now and can't read all of the replies since there are 3 pages. So if the link I am providing is duplicate, forgive me.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/common-egg-quality-problems.65923/#comment-504683
If it not duplicate, I hope it can assist you.
-connie

So it's been the general consensus that these calcium deposits are the combined result of switching from layer to flock raiser and balancing oyster shell intake and going through molt. And possible dwindling egg production for the winter.

Thank you for the link! I've read that article before... but it states the causes for calcium deposits are:
- Defective shell glands;
- Disturbances and/or stress during the calcification process;
- Poor nutrition, for example excess calcium in the hen's diet.
I really hope she's not defective, or stressed or has poor nutrition... OS is free choice so that must be the excess calcium.
What do you think? Should that article be updated? -- it's very scary!

 

[aart]

The color variations are so interesting. I remember reading something a long time ago about... a hen will never change the color of eggs she lays. That must have meant change from brown to green, or white to brown etc... but apparently fluctuating shades of the same color is fair game!

Shell color, white or blue, cannot change.
The brown coating can vary all over the place,
giving white to dark brown and blue to dark green.