Mysteriously cracked eggs...

[Q9]

This morning I found two eggs, BOTH of which had gigantic cracks in them. Why is this happening? Did the chickens peck them and then leave them alone, or are the 15-degree temperatures at night somehow doing it? Yes, it does get that cold in the South.

The latter seems probable, but how the temps could crack eggs I have no idea.

 

[canada-goose]

Back when we lived in a state which actually had winter, we found a lot of cracked eggs. We decided that it was happening because water expands when it freezes, as I recall.

 

[ranchhand]

If they get frozen they will split open, is that it? Were they out overnight?

And yep, it was 18F this morning. Matter of fact, I am going out for firewood right now, and I am well south of you. Ick on this arctic front.

 

[Q9]

Quote:
That's what I'm asking.

Yes, they were out overnight.

Good night, how far south of me? It's funny, but I just can't picture anywhere south of NC/northern SC as being "cold."

 

[Attila the Hen]

I am further south of you--in GA and we are having colder weather. Two inches of snow and down to 12F. Of course I am in the mountains. Get your eggs in before dark.

 

[boykin2010]

i live in south georgia almost on the florida border and it was 19 degrees last night. a lot of times i find that my girls will scratch out a hole in the hay in the nesting box then they will lay an egg on the bare wood. then once it hits the wood it cracks. i have found a couple like this lately. especially from my cornish hen who is just determined to dig out all the hay then crack her own egg!

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
That's what I'm asking.

Yes, they were out overnight.

Good night, how far south of me? It's funny, but I just can't picture anywhere south of NC/northern SC as being "cold."

30 miles or so south of Charleston, 15 miles inland. I've had to dump ice for several days now, twice a day. If it's going to be this cold, I want snow!

 

[Q9]

Quote:
That's what I'm asking.

Yes, they were out overnight.

Good night, how far south of me? It's funny, but I just can't picture anywhere south of NC/northern SC as being "cold."

30 miles or so south of Charleston, 15 miles inland. I've had to dump ice for several days now, twice a day. If it's going to be this cold, I want snow!

Okay, off topic, but you are LUCKY to live that close to Charleston! I love that place - it's the definition of "Southern city."

 

[Q9]

Quote:
Okay, thanks. I'm going to head out there right now and try to get some. Unfortunately, some of our birds absolutely insist on laying after dark.

 

[sourland]

They've been frozen.