She just laid an egg without shell in front of me, do I need to be worried?

[EggSighted4Life]

It’s possible there was just a “disruption” and something happened what disturbed the egg cycle, like a predator walking around the coop at night, or a storm.

Good thinking. When I thought something like that was happening to mine.. it was always cracked and repaired or body checked.. Pushing it all the way through the system verses making something pop out that was already close by *seems* less likely to be caused by a spook..

But some animals have been known to evacuate as they escape.. though that's not what was described... I like to play investigator, when it's helpful..

The following article has lots of useful information.. noting almost anything is stated as possible cause being virus or disease.. but please don't jump to that conclusion, without good reason..

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

 

[linguini]

Good thinking. When I thought something like that was happening to mine.. it was always cracked and repaired or body checked.. Pushing it all the way through the system verses making something pop out that was already close by *seems* less likely to be caused by a spook..

But some animals have been known to evacuate as they escape.. though that's not what was described... I like to play investigator, when it's helpful..

The following article has lots of useful information.. noting almost anything is stated as possible cause being virus or disease.. but please don't jump to that conclusion, without good reason..

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

Thank you so much! This is very helpful.

 

[Hen-Ry]

It's kind of difficult to see from the photo - the egg on the right was from day before yesterday. The egg on the left is from today. I also noticed all of them have reduced laying frequency (same cycle but more rest days in between) this last week. (I experimented FF feed for two weeks, just stopped 3 days ago, they liked it the first week, and not interested 2nd week, so I only give them wet mash starting 3 days ago)

I get abnormal eggs on a regular basis. They taste as good or better than other “normal” eggs seeing that they are always x-large!
I have ten layers so it’s almost impossible to tell which one lays what lol!
I’ve also seen the shell challenged yolks drop into a hen frenzy feeding. Just a fluke in my mind. No I’ll effects or repeats at all. I wouldn’t worry myself. (miscarriage? Is that a hen thing?) hmm

 

[linguini]

I get abnormal eggs on a regular basis. They taste as good or better than other “normal” eggs seeing that they are always x-large!
I have ten layers so it’s almost impossible to tell which one lays what lol!
I’ve also seen the shell challenged yolks drop into a hen frenzy feeding. Just a fluke in my mind. No I’ll effects or repeats at all. I wouldn’t worry myself. (miscarriage? Is that a hen thing?) hmm

(miscarriage? Is that a hen thing?) hmm --

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I get abnormal eggs on a regular basis. They taste as good or better than other “normal” eggs seeing that they are always x-large!
I have ten layers so it’s almost impossible to tell which one lays what lol!
I’ve also seen the shell challenged yolks drop into a hen frenzy feeding. Just a fluke in my mind. No I’ll effects or repeats at all. I wouldn’t worry myself. (miscarriage? Is that a hen thing?) hmm

Hi there, hope you're enjoying BYC!

That's a great question.. there are MANY things animal related which should NOT be anthropomorphize d.

Forced copulation is not rape it's mounting/mating. Mating with siblings or parents is not molestation or incest, it's line breeding or inbreeding. No.. a miscarriage would be a developing embryo that fails and is aborted by the body. A poultry embryo that stops developing in it's egg after it started would be called a quitter.

It's more like ovulating/menstrating without the egg being fertilized and stopping in the womb to develop. Or more like being infertile period and not capable of carrying to term or getting pregnant in the first place.

If you get weird eggs "regularly".. and your 10 layers aren't barely starting their reproductive stage.. then you NEED to take a look at your practice and/or bird health.. Size has NOTHING to do with flavor of eggs. Ex small eggs in fact seem to have larger yolk to white ratio, and double yolkers are even tastier.. but hiccups are NOT a desirable thing and CAN be life threatening.

I agree happy accidents of broken or soft eggs.. have never caused egg eaters.. they simply aren't bright enough to make that association.. and egg eating stops the spread of their "seed".. so it goes against their nature to eat random in tact eggs even when found outside the nest.. Even nest accidents that get eaten don't *usually* cause offenders or repeat offenders.

 

[Hen-Ry]

(miscarriage? Is that a hen thing?) hmm --

Hi there, hope you're enjoying BYC!

That's a great question.. there are MANY things animal related which should NOT be anthropomorphize d.

Forced copulation is not rape it's mounting/mating. Mating with siblings or parents is not molestation or incest, it's line breeding or inbreeding. No.. a miscarriage would be a developing embryo that fails and is aborted by the body. A poultry embryo that stops developing in it's egg after it started would be called a quitter.

It's more like ovulating/menstrating without the egg being fertilized and stopping in the womb to develop. Or more like being infertile period and not capable of carrying to term or getting pregnant in the first place.

If you get weird eggs "regularly".. and your 10 layers aren't barely starting their reproductive stage.. then you NEED to take a look at your practice and/or bird health.. Size has NOTHING to do with flavor of eggs. Ex small eggs in fact seem to have larger yolk to white ratio, and double yolkers are even tastier.. but hiccups are NOT a desirable thing and CAN be life threatening.

I agree happy accidents of broken or soft eggs.. have never caused egg eaters.. they simply aren't bright enough to make that association.. and egg eating stops the spread of their "seed".. so it goes against their nature to eat random in tact eggs even when found outside the nest.. Even nest accidents that get eaten don't *usually* cause offenders or repeat offenders.

Hi @EggSighted4Life !
Yes I am enjoying BYC. I had my One year Anniversary here this week. Enjoyed reading your response.

I have 3 Buff Orps, 2 RIR’s, 1 Giant Jersey Black, and 4 Barred Plymouth Rocks. All are over 2 years and have been laying since 4 months old. They all get unlimited Layer pellets, grit, oyster shell calcium, clean water-with a bit of apple cider vinegar sometimes. Scratch grain in the evening and oatmeal for a treat.
20’x40’ area fenced sides and top for the run. Oooo 6’x 20’ clean, dry coop with 3 nesting boxes. 3-4 hours of free range each day on grass and wooded areas. Very healthy looking and full feathered ladies, some laying on odd days, the rest on evens.
But I still get an occasional egg which has a pimple, or a crease, or an end navel. I float test these to assure that there are no leaks or spoilage. I have seen nothing that indicates sickness or infestation. I sprinkle diametatacious earth around the run to ward off pests.
So I surmise that it is undoubtedly a genetic defect causing the odd eggs. I started out with a rooster(my avatar) but had to give him away because my family prefers unfertilized eggs. Also Jerry was very mean, and rough with the hens when he mounted them.
I would love to know where I can improve because none of us has all knowledge when it comes to poultry tending. I am an avid researcher and a very good student if you have some insight about my feathered flock. Thank you so much for your opinion.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have 3 Buff Orps, 2 RIR’s, 1 Giant Jersey Black, and 4 Barred Plymouth Rocks. All are over 2 years and have been laying since 4 months old. They all get unlimited Layer pellets, grit, oyster shell calcium, clean water-with a bit of apple cider vinegar sometimes. Scratch grain in the evening and oatmeal for a treat.

All your ladies are dual purpose and due to molt if they haven't done so already.. Entering and exiting molt is another time hiccups are very normal!

Those are all dual purpose ladies.. and WILL do even better offer a flock raiser or grower free choice with OS on the side.. threats at 10% or less of course.. "layer" feed is usually 16% protein with is the minimum to keep a light bodied bird like leghorn in laying condition.. Dual purpose birds will do best with at least 18% protein & with 22% showing highest hatch rate.. which to ME says more nutrients in the eggs my family is eating also..

OS on the side.. means birds take what they need for THEIR lay rate and leave what they don't instead of processing excess through their kidneys.. *sometimes* (>3% in non laying birds, long term) increasing gout or even kidney failure.. though usually ALSO genetically predisposed somehow AND also fed a nutrient deficient, aka high treat diet (sometimes the pretty non pelleted feeds), Orp are one that it's been seen in. SKIP the scratch grain all together.. and find something else that's enriching but less candy bar/chip like.. hang a head of cabbage, lettuce, or broccoli just out of reach so they jump for it, spout/fodder your scratch grain, oatmeal, etc when possible. Skip oatmeal.. in general.. dry oats have some anti nutrients (challenging to sprout).. and formulated rations have added vitamins, minerals, amino acids.. oats are not that high in protein nor is scratch usually.. both will be diminishing protein and amino acid.. NONE is a problem.. as part of a balanced routine! Sorry, I have a tendency to ramble on.

Roosters are definitely not for every flock, and that's okay!

Float test is mostly irrelevant.. it measure gas inside the egg.. and that's about it.. I've never opened a rotten egg yet, even six months old they just get thicker.. Oh wait.. I saw an egg in the front yard this week.. and confused stuck my finger though it.. it was an incubator egg rolled out of the compost I forgot didn't smash when I tossed it.

Diatomaceous earth is a false sense of security that does not work well (at all) in humid environments like mine. One cannot claim "prevention" because they haven't faced an issue.. they MAY not have that issue. Weather, wild life load, stock density, soil type, etc.. ALL effect these things. So it's good to familiarize yourself with YOUR area and unique challenges.. but also recognize that the "norm" or what has been can change at any time.. Despite never needing to worm my dogs confirmed via fecal float or treat them for fleas in the decade past.. this past year saw all kinds of new challenges AND adjustments accordingly!

All links are same source but get the point across.. I sit firmly in the anti DE camp for a multitude of reasons.. though I don't claim it has no use or zero purpose, it is not welcome here to fill the air I breath.. food grade or not.

https://the-chicken-chick.com/the-cut-dry-truth-about-diatomaceous/

https://the-chicken-chick.com/diatomaceous-earth-de-benefitrisk/

https://the-chicken-chick.com/raising-chickens-naturally-diatomaceous/

Also, apologies to the OP as this post is bit off topic to the original question.. I will take note and try to remember to suggest maybe starting a new thread if doesn't seem directly related in the future!

 

[WILIFORD]

I've had that happen 2 or 3 times in the past, and it was always with young hens just starting to lay. It never developed into a problem or became a reoccurring issue. probably nothing to worry about, unless it continues

 

[Hen-Ry]

All your ladies are dual purpose and due to molt if they haven't done so already.. Entering and exiting molt is another time hiccups are very normal!

Those are all dual purpose ladies.. and WILL do even better offer a flock raiser or grower free choice with OS on the side.. threats at 10% or less of course.. "layer" feed is usually 16% protein with is the minimum to keep a light bodied bird like leghorn in laying condition.. Dual purpose birds will do best with at least 18% protein & with 22% showing highest hatch rate.. which to ME says more nutrients in the eggs my family is eating also..

OS on the side.. means birds take what they need for THEIR lay rate and leave what they don't instead of processing excess through their kidneys.. *sometimes* (>3% in non laying birds, long term) increasing gout or even kidney failure.. though usually ALSO genetically predisposed somehow AND also fed a nutrient deficient, aka high treat diet (sometimes the pretty non pelleted feeds), Orp are one that it's been seen in. SKIP the scratch grain all together.. and find something else that's enriching but less candy bar/chip like.. hang a head of cabbage, lettuce, or broccoli just out of reach so they jump for it, spout/fodder your scratch grain, oatmeal, etc when possible. Skip oatmeal.. in general.. dry oats have some anti nutrients (challenging to sprout).. and formulated rations have added vitamins, minerals, amino acids.. oats are not that high in protein nor is scratch usually.. both will be diminishing protein and amino acid.. NONE is a problem.. as part of a balanced routine! Sorry, I have a tendency to ramble on.

Roosters are definitely not for every flock, and that's okay!

Float test is mostly irrelevant.. it measure gas inside the egg.. and that's about it.. I've never opened a rotten egg yet, even six months old they just get thicker.. Oh wait.. I saw an egg in the front yard this week.. and confused stuck my finger though it.. it was an incubator egg rolled out of the compost I forgot didn't smash when I tossed it.

Diatomaceous earth is a false sense of security that does not work well (at all) in humid environments like mine. One cannot claim "prevention" because they haven't faced an issue.. they MAY not have that issue. Weather, wild life load, stock density, soil type, etc.. ALL effect these things. So it's good to familiarize yourself with YOUR area and unique challenges.. but also recognize that the "norm" or what has been can change at any time.. Despite never needing to worm my dogs confirmed via fecal float or treat them for fleas in the decade past.. this past year saw all kinds of new challenges AND adjustments accordingly!

All links are same source but get the point across.. I sit firmly in the anti DE camp for a multitude of reasons.. though I don't claim it has no use or zero purpose, it is not welcome here to fill the air I breath.. food grade or not.

https://the-chicken-chick.com/the-cut-dry-truth-about-diatomaceous/

https://the-chicken-chick.com/diatomaceous-earth-de-benefitrisk/

https://the-chicken-chick.com/raising-chickens-naturally-diatomaceous/

Also, apologies to the OP as this post is bit off topic to the original question.. I will take note and try to remember to suggest maybe starting a new thread if doesn't seem directly related in the future!

Thank you, and YES I agree about the new thread.
So..I will be brief. I viewed the links you sent. Thank you so much for this info. No more DE for my ladies! Whew!

 

[Kiki]

Since today is the coldest day we have had this winter, I gave my chooks some extra end of day treats.

While all of them were excited and going crazy with the black sunflower seeds and mealworms, I noticed Clove - our Olive Egger, who is usually the leader and often jumps up to my bag/bowl - was standing in the corner, all fluffed up and looking strange. I tossed some treats in front of her to get her attention, but she still stood there looking funny. I thought she might be sick, walked to her and bent over to offer her the mealworms in my hand. She took two steps to get the worms, and a fluid egg with white and yolk came out of her, no shell! All the chooks immediately frantically gobbled up everything.

Clove is almost 7 months old, just laid an egg around 6:30 this morning, her cycle should be 25 hours or so (we record time/weight of every egg laid - nerdy first time chooks parents!). She started laying in mid December.
Should I be worried? Does this indicate protein or calcium deficiency? Her eggs are usually normal with pretty strong shell. And she always lay eggs in her preferred nesting box. BTW, my other poulette, a Blue Bell, also laid a somewhat deformed egg this morning (a little bubble bulge on shell).

How is this bird today?