Pigment Spots and Calcium Deposits on Chicken Eggs - Cause?

[HoopyFrood]

We have five almost-one-year-old hens all laying normally until the past few days.

They were recently switched from a 16.5% protein layer feed that had 3.7-4.5% calcium to an 18% layer feed with 3.4-4.4% calcium. They were on the previous feed ever since they started laying. Additionally they have had access to free choice crushed oyster shell since (just before) they started laying. They all have eaten from that oyster shell periodically since the beginning.

A few days ago one of them started laying eggs with calcium deposits on them. Those eggs also started having pigment spots on the shells which are rare with these girls (perhaps one spotted egg each every 1-2 months). Soon after the first hen started laying the eggs with calcium deposits, a second hen started laying eggs with pigment spots. Just today that second hen laid an egg with a calcium deposit, too.

At first I thought the first hen's odd eggs were related to her having eaten a large spotted salamander (which are poisonous) a day or two before the deposits started showing up.

But now that a second hen has laid an egg with a calcium deposit, I'm wondering if they could be getting too much calcium?

I'm reluctant to remove the oyster shell as it hasn't caused problems before and the others are still laying normally and still make use of it.

Also does anyone know what might cause the occasional pigment spots on egg shells? I've only found one source that says it is too much calcium, but that does not make sense to me. Calcium is white and pigment is decidedly not white...

Any thoughts?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

One good resource...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/common-egg-quality-problems.65923/

Some of my hens lay pigment spotted eggs regularly... it's their color. Maybe going through the spray booth a little too fast.

I feed 20% protein flock raiser with 1% calcium and OS on the side free choice since I always have broody's, and molters and excess calcium could cause kidney issues long term to those not in lay.

I like your switch to more protein... maybe the girls are just still adjusting... Good luck.

 

[HoopyFrood]

One good resource...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/common-egg-quality-problems.65923/

Some of my hens lay pigment spotted eggs regularly... it's their color. Maybe going through the spray booth a little too fast.

Spray booth?!

I did find that article, thanks. I was just fishing for a little more info

I feed 20% protein flock raiser with 1% calcium and OS on the side free choice since I always have broody's, and molters and excess calcium could cause kidney issues long term to those not in lay.

I like your switch to more protein... maybe the girls are just still adjusting... Good luck.

Thank you! That's what I'm hoping. If I had a mixed flock I'd do exactly what you're doing. I'm toying with the idea of changing the feed because I have no idea if they'll synchronize on their molt or not. It's easy to work around if they are synchronized, but I should probably be ready if they are not...

 

[HoopyFrood]

I had forgotten I started this thread! I am currently working through a laying issue, but not one that relates to this question - I think.

It seems to me that occasional odd pigment spots just happen. They all will occasionally lay one with spots, but not very often and the eggs (and girls) seem perfectly normal.

The calcium deposits have all gone away (except in one case, the current issue which is in another thread of mine) without removing the oyster shell. However I have not seen anyone eat oyster shell in a long time.

So just one of those "young layer" things, I guess!

 

[HoopyFrood]

Final thought here for posterity's sake.

Consulting with nutritionists at feed companies I have decided there is a lot of misunderstanding of calcium absorption in hens. Their digestive system seems to automatically adjust its pH to absorb Ca if it's needed (in laying) or to pass Ca unabsorbed, i.e. it is excreted out, if it is not needed but it is ingested (laying hiatus).

Generally speaking it is difficult for a healthy chicken to eat too much calcium and suffer any ill effects. The excess Ca is simply excreted.

To the original points of this thread, the past 5 months have seemed to confirm the preliminary conclusions above: occasional, minor calcium deposits do happen, as do pigment spots, with no negative impact to the hens or the eggs.

 

[aart]

Another points for posterity:
'Speckled' eggs can happen for several different reasons...very few, if any, of which are a 'problem'.
Can be caused by:
Excess or uneven pigment coating.
Excess or uneven cuticle(bloom).
Excess calcium deposits.
Porous eggs can appear speckled.
Some birds lay them consistently, some only once in awhile.
The pigment or bloom can change appearance when wet, then change back when dry again.

As long as bird is getting a good diet and is healthy in every other way, it is no cause for concern.

 

[HoopyFrood]

Another points for posterity:
'Speckled' eggs can happen for several different reasons...very few, if any, of which are a 'problem'.
Can be caused by:
Excess or uneven pigment coating.
Excess or uneven cuticle(bloom).
Excess calcium deposits.
Porous eggs can appear speckled.
Some birds lay them consistently, some only once in awhile.
The pigment or bloom can change appearance when wet, then change back when dry again.

As long as bird is getting a good diet and is healthy in every other way, it is no cause for concern.

Excellent info! Thank you for sharing, @aart !