scratches on eggs

[User395221]

I have a group of bantams with one black copper maran. She was hatched together with her "sisters", silkies and smaller chooks back in November (or around then). Her eggs are obvious. They are dark, and bigger than the little girls' eggs. I've seen on them scratch marks, like they've been pecked at, scratched at. I haven't seen any similar marks on the little girls' eggs (although they are white, so any marks might not be as visible). 3 of my girls are clucky and sit in the nest box a lot.

Any idea(s) as to the reason for this?

EDIT: Photos added
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[Abriana]

Pictures would be very helpful

 

[rosemarythyme]

Eggs get pushed around as chickens get in and out of the nest box for their turn. Not unusual to see some scratches on them and I've accidentally scratched them as well by picking them up too quick after laying, before the coating has fully set.

 

[User395221]

Not unusual to see some scratches on them

Thanks, but why would it be from just one chook? Do I need to trim her toenails? Never seen it with any of the other girls. Maybe it's the clucky girls climbing in on top that has caused it?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

View attachment 1105665 View attachment 1105666 .... [the eggs]They are dark, and .... I've seen scratch marks [on the eggs] .....I haven't seen any similar marks on the little girls' eggs (although they are white, so any marks might not be as visible). 3 of my girls are clucky and sit in the nest box a lot.

Any idea(s) as to the reason for this?

EDIT: Photos added
View attachment 1105659 View attachment 1105661 View attachment 1105662 View attachment 1105662 View attachment 1105663

The color on brown shelled eggs is only laid down in the final hour or two before the egg is laid. At the time of laying the egg still has the slimy mucus on it that eased it's exit from the hens' vent. Therefor the brown color is still soft and highly susceptible to scratching.

 

[Peckyhens]

View attachment 1105665 View attachment 1105666 I have a group of bantams with one black copper maran. She was hatched together with her "sisters", silkies and smaller chooks back in November (or around then). Her eggs are obvious. They are dark, and bigger than the little girls' eggs. I've seen on them scratch marks, like they've been pecked at, scratched at. I haven't seen any similar marks on the little girls' eggs (although they are white, so any marks might not be as visible). 3 of my girls are clucky and sit in the nest box a lot.

Any idea(s) as to the reason for this?

EDIT: Photos added
View attachment 1105659 View attachment 1105661 View attachment 1105662 View attachment 1105662 View attachment 1105663

She could be scratching them when leaving the nesting box accidentally or if she's trying to Peck them she may have low calcium and is trying to get it from the egg shell , you can give them crushed egg shells to peck at in a bowl but prefrebly oyster shells because there's a chance they may start to eat theirs eggs

 

[User395221]

The color on brown shelled eggs is only laid down in the final hour or two before the egg is laid. At the time of laying the egg still has the slimy mucus on it that eased it's exit from the hens' vent. Therefor the brown color is still soft and highly susceptible to scratching.

Thanks, that's interesting. My isa browns do brown eggs, but not as dark as this. I've never noticed any scratches on theirs, but they are in a different house/run so it is probably something that is happening in the the little girls' house.

The girls have the premium layer crumble and they also have seashells they can eat. We don't really have oyster shell here (not that I've ever seen, anyway), just the seashells. I think they should have enough calcium in their diet?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Thanks, that's interesting. My isa browns do brown eggs, but not as dark as this. I've never noticed any scratches on theirs, but they are in a different house/run so it is probably something that is happening in the the little girls' house.

The girls have the premium layer crumble and they also have seashells they can eat. We don't really have oyster shell here (not that I've ever seen, anyway), just the seashells. I think they should have enough calcium in their diet?

Limestone rock is nothing but very old sea shells. A good or complete laying ration usually contains crushed limestone rock. Chemically the two are one.

 

[User395221]

A good or complete laying ration usually contains crushed limestone rock.

Yes, thanks, I get the "premium" feed, it's the best one, and is supposed to have everything required. They can help themselves to the shell grit if they want it/need it/whatever. I think their diet is pretty good, they also get veggies on top of that.

Maybe her eggs will be "tougher" when she's older? She hasn't been laying that long, she's only about 9 months old.

 

[User395221]

I went out there for something else, and the clucky girls were all piled into a nest box with yet another girl in there as well (FOUR all piled into one box). Anyway, I saw the silkies pushing an egg under themselves with their beaks. I suspect that might be the source of the scratches (or some of them)?