My chicken laid an egg with a weird design (yes design!) on the shell - why?

[what did I do]

MsB, are you stalking me?
I read some where that it is mineral, illness, or water that can cause rippled... But the sun? Well, aside from that, how is the shells thickens? I personally would blow it out and keep it!

I get one of these every now and then and I feed mineral. I just feed the mineral that we give our cows. Mine always have water too.

Enjoy the sun

 

[wendyb]

They do always have water, but maybe I'll put another waterer in their coop to make sure they each have enough. Maybe two of them are preventing the one from getting enough water? I've never observed that happening but I'm not out there with them all the time either. As for their shell thickness, all of their eggs have pretty thick shells compared to the store bought ones I used to get.

Can anyone tell me what mix they feed their chickens? I've been giving them a feed that was recommended by the feed store I go to and was told it had everything they need. What extra minerals/food are recommended? I give them fresh veggies daily and stale bread occasionally. We also give them store bought chicken treats daily.

 

[Imp]

Here it is:

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/1/egg-quality-handbook/19/flatsided-eggs

Imp

 

[donrae]

Things like this happen more often than the general public realizes. The store eggs are so candled and screened we never see things like this in the cartons. It looks like a yolk imprint to me. Hens get glitches in their reproductive system sometimes just like humans do. It's quite normal for them to have non-normal eggs, lol. What you look for is patterns. If things happen once in a while, it's okay. If things start happening regularly, then you look at diet, overall health and possibly culling the bird.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Here it is:

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/1/egg-quality-handbook/19/flatsided-eggs

Imp

Great link, thanks. For reference, here is what my "crackle" eggs look like from my Ameraucana hen:



These eggs are NOT cracked- it is more like a design. One I incubated blood ringed (the odd shaped one on the bottom), the other two are in now and developing fine.
I don't see anything like it on Imp's website link though. But an old timer on another thread suggested the heat (although it has continued since the heat stopped) or calcium deficiency. I decided calcium since the day after laying one of these she laid a VERY thin shelled egg. Apparently these have extra thick shells because since her body didn't have enough calcium for one shell she waited TWO days to lay these so they have enough shell for two thin-shelled eggs. Put crushed eggshell out free choice and still got one more after this (about a week and a half ago). Monitering her to see if it keep happening. Don't know what else I could do about it.

 

[ibarbidahl]

All I know is that is SO cool looking! I would definitely save it! Blow it out and keep it!!!

 

[Imp]

Quote: I have never seen that before. Kind of cool.
Here's a list of foods that are good sources of calcium.


1. Spinach & Swiss Chard
2. Salmon & Sardines (canned with bones)
3. Mustard, Collard, Kale & Turnip greens
4. Shellfish
5. Blackstrap molasses (can cause runny stools)
6. Corn Tortillas
7. Yogurt
8. Mozzarella & Cheddar cheese
9. Milk, Buttermilk (goat's milk and cow's milk)
10. Basil, thyme, dill seed, cinnamon, and peppermint leaves
11. Romaine lettuce
12. Rhubarb
13. Almonds, Peanuts & Brazil Nuts

14. Black Beans, Dried Beans (Cooked)
15. Sesame seeds
16. Fennel
17. Cabbage, Bok Choy, & Chinese cabbage
18. Summer squash
19. Green beans
20. Garlic
21. Tofu & Soybeans
22. Brussel sprouts & Broccoli
23. Oranges (Some people do not feed citrus to chickens)
24. Asparagus & Okra
25. Crimini mushrooms
26. Foods Fortified with Calcium: Some Orange Juice, Breads, & Cereals

Imp- Good luck, hope it works out well

 

[suki'smom]

Great link, thanks. For reference, here is what my "crackle" eggs look like from my Ameraucana hen:



These eggs are NOT cracked- it is more like a design. One I incubated blood ringed (the odd shaped one on the bottom), the other two are in now and developing fine.
I don't see anything like it on Imp's website link though. But an old timer on another thread suggested the heat (although it has continued since the heat stopped) or calcium deficiency. I decided calcium since the day after laying one of these she laid a VERY thin shelled egg. Apparently these have extra thick shells because since her body didn't have enough calcium for one shell she waited TWO days to lay these so they have enough shell for two thin-shelled eggs. Put crushed eggshell out free choice and still got one more after this (about a week and a half ago). Monitering her to see if it keep happening. Don't know what else I could do about it.

Oh! I get ones like these from my EE's all the time! They have always hatched fine for me. They have free choice oyster shell, access to a 50x50 run with grass, constant supply of fresh water, and high quaity feed....so idk what's going on lol.

Anyway here's my Welsummer's "sun egg":

I blew it out and saved it

 

[WaterFowl209]

Maybe it's the imprint of the chickens vagina? Lol

 

[theoldchick]

Sunny side up! I'd blow the contents and keep the shell. Turn it into a Christmas ornament. Or an Easter ornament.