Strange Looking Eggs

[Dec1an]

Hello all,

I have had chickens for about 2 years now so am relatively new to poultry but im having some issues with eggs. I have west sussex, ginger rangers, pekins, silkies, black rocks and polands so a good mix.

Firstly - I am getting some rather large eggs (4 or so inches long) but I dont have any large breeds, I have some orpington pullets but they are not laying yet so I dont know what it can be. Any Ideas?

Secondly - There seem to be quite a few deformed eggs (such as the image attached) were the egg is either long or odd looking, I dont know whether this is normal and it happens every few eggs a hen lays I dont know haha. Might it be down to nutrients etc?

Thirdly - Some of my eggs have small lumps on them, sort of pin head size but raised up on the egg shell, what could this be? I have grit available all the time for them and I see them eating it so I personally dont think its that.


If anyone can give advice it would be much appreciated.

 

[sumi]

Odd shaped eggs are quite common in young hens who's bodies are still adapting to the egg laying process and also in old hens who's been laying for years. Another common cause of odd shaped and otherwise unusual eggs are stress and in some cases disease, such as Newcastle or Infectious Bronchitis.

The small lumps you described sounds like calcium deposits. These can be caused by either a defective shell gland, a disturbance during the calcification process or too much calcium in the hen's diet.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Odd shaped eggs are quite common in young hens who's bodies are still adapting to the egg laying process and also in old hens who's been laying for years. Another common cause of odd shaped and otherwise unusual eggs are stress and in some cases disease, such as Newcastle or Infectious Bronchitis.

The small lumps you described sounds like calcium deposits. These can be caused by either a defective shell gland, a disturbance during the calcification process or too much calcium in the hen's diet.

Ditto.

The egg in your picture is most likely a double yolker. Again, common in new layers as their bodies adjust to laying.

 

[Dec1an]

Thanks for the help guys!

So how would I lower their calcium diet? I really only feed them layers, corn and odd bits of peelings.

Thanks

 

[Dec1an]

Sorry I ruled out the disease, they all seem happy hens and none of them are showing signs of being unwell

 

[sumi]

Well, I'm glad to hear they're not sick. The calcium deposits will hopefully clear up by itself in time. Layers mash is the best feed for laying hens, so keep feeding that with the corn and treats as an extra.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Thanks for the help guys!

So how would I lower their calcium diet? I really only feed them layers, corn and odd bits of peelings.

Thanks

No need to. They will learn to take only what is needed. It doesn't harm them in any way.

 

[Dec1an]

Ok thanks Also one more question, should you incubate slightly misshaped eggs?

Thanks

 

[sumi]

Rather not. For incubating it's better to pick well shaped, unharmed eggs. Also, as Happy Chooks pointed out, these oversized eggs are often double yolkers too and those are very hard to incubate and hatch successfully. Rather eat the odd ones

 

[Dec1an]

Ah yeah I suppose you have a point, what about the eggs with the calcium problems, would they be alright?