Should I Cull Hen That Lays Soft Shell Eggs ?

[mvm]

We are having exactly the same issues with one of our 1 year old Hubbards. Alternately lays unusually large, somewhat irregularly shaped hard shelled eggs (with a rough texture to the shell) with soft shelled eggs- sometimes we get a completely normal looking egg from her but in general the last 6 weeks the character of the eggs have been very changable. I have tried all suggestions previously listed and she is otherwise healthy appearing. Acts a bit odd at times, in ways also mentioned in this thread and others, sitting, wanting to be separate from the flock, a bit spacey- not sure what to chalk it all up to.

 

[CMV]

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publi...ndbook/16/thinshelled-eggs-and-shellless-eggs

Any chance that your hens have been exposed to bronchitis?

 

[Ridgerunner]

CMV beat me to the Egg Quality Handbook. Here is another source to look through. It covers a few different potential causes to problems, but I think the Handbook is better organized.

When it is one specific hen instead of the flock in general, it is usually something genetic, but don't totally rule out disease. Some are more susceptible to some diseases than others or may show it in a different way. If you have a rooster and hatch your own eggs, I'd try very hard to not allow any of her offspring into the laying or breeding flock.

Egg Problems
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/ep127.pdf

 

[CMV]

Thanks Ridgerunner! I used to have that file, too, and somehow lost it. (I actually probably mislabeled it and it is hiding in plain sight.) It is going in my archives for reference.

 

[AHappychick]

Quote:
I would contact Dr. Brown at First State Vet Supply, he knows a lot and may be able to offer good suggestions.