Odd looking egg white

[jo777]

Hi! I've been lurking on and off for several years in anticipation of getting my own chickens.. however, we are still supporting local backyard flocks as no chickens for us, yet.

I have a question though.. We've recently been buying eggs from a new person, and I've run across 2 eggs now in the 5doz or so that upon cracking, shows a very thin and watery outer white, and a white colored layer surrounding the inner thick white (not cloudy, but white-white, as if cooked a little!) This white layer if touched will break up and float around in bits on the watery albumen.

I've seen cloudy-fresh whites, this is not the same. The yolks look great, nice fresh and tall, no smells.. no idea on this one, I've never come across it in the several years we've been buying eggs from people. Any ideas? Young bird? Genetics? or a sign of something "off"?

Thanks!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi, i honestly don't know, but young birds can lay some pretty interesting eggs - that much i do know. As for the other possibilities, i'll let others chime in.

All the best
CT

Oh, sorry, i forgot to welcome you to BYC! Glad to have you join us.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Old eggs usually have watery whites, but the other cooked looking bits sound odd. Maybe the seller washed them in really hot water and did possibly cook them a bit?

 

[jo777]

I'd have thought the same regarding the hot water idea- but it was just a layer surrounding the inner thicker white.. not on the inside closest to the shell, plus she'd have had to dip them in 130*-140* water to start cooking the whites- not a temp anyone could hand wash an egg at. I should have taken pics! Next time I will.. I'm cracking them into a bowl from now on before doing anything with them! They def weren't old, the yolk was super-plump and firm, and she dates the eggs anyway- though I don't really need that.. I've never had any from her that didn't lay flat on the bottom when I hard boil them. It's strange, I've seen all weird sorts of things happen to the inside of eggs, but not this before. I hate to throw away an egg that may be fine to eat, but would hate to lose that bet if something were off! I'm guessing it's a weird-chicken issue vs a bacterial problem but not testing on myself.

 

[jo777]

Hi, i honestly don't know, but young birds can lay some pretty interesting eggs - that much i do know. As for the other possibilities, i'll let others chime in.

All the best
CT

Oh, sorry, i forgot to welcome you to BYC! Glad to have you join us.

Thanks! I've loved reading here and have been wanting some birds of my own for many years, just not in a place (physical or situation) where I'd have the ability to give them a good place, or at least a place I think is good enough for chickens! I'd need to put more work/money into the backyard before I'd be comfy to get them and let them roam. I've considered the chicken-tractor idea, but I'd still want a privacy fence for my own comfort and to keep out the neighborhood dogs.. Reading here def keeps the interest stoked though!

 

[aart]

I'd have thought the same regarding the hot water idea- but it was just a layer surrounding the inner thicker white.. not on the inside closest to the shell, plus she'd have had to dip them in 130*-140* water to start cooking the whites- not a temp anyone could hand wash an egg at. I should have taken pics! Next time I will.. I'm cracking them into a bowl from now on before doing anything with them! They def weren't old, the yolk was super-plump and firm, and she dates the eggs anyway- though I don't really need that.. I've never had any from her that didn't lay flat on the bottom when I hard boil them. It's strange, I've seen all weird sorts of things happen to the inside of eggs, but not this before. I hate to throw away an egg that may be fine to eat, but would hate to lose that bet if something were off! I'm guessing it's a weird-chicken issue vs a bacterial problem but not testing on myself.

Definitely take pics and let keeper know.
Is egg different shape/color so hen that laid it can be ID'd?

I've never seen or read about anything like that.
Please do update here...I'm curious.

 

[jo777]

Definitely take pics and let keeper know.
Is egg different shape/color so hen that laid it can be ID'd?

I've never seen or read about anything like that.
Please do update here...I'm curious.

Def will, I will update this thread with a pic if it happens again. Sadly I get the feeling she's not the type that will really care much- she doesn't seem to know or read up on chickens and chicken-keeping much.. I think it was her kid's experiment (not kidding) and they've been running with it for a while. The egg wasn't an oddball, so no easy id there. She's not our normal egg-person, but the guy we normally buy a couple doz from every week has chickens who've slacked off for the winter so he's holding onto those for his family and neighbors until he has a surplus again.