Tiny specks on the inside on eggshell.

[Farmgirlintheruff]

I have two roosters and three hens. They are caged at night and have the run of the farm during the day. Two of my hens started to lay their first eggs in November. Since then, some of the eggs have small speckles adhered to the inside of the shell. The end opposite of the air sac. The chickens seem well. The eggs are fine otherwise. What is this?

 

[azygous]

Do you still have this egg in the pic? Feel like doing a science experiment? I have a hunch it's bacteria or mold spores. Take the shell and place it in a shallow dish with a moist paper towel to create humidity. Cover loosely and place the dish someplace warm and dark such as your water heater closet.

Check it in a few days. If the spots have grown, you can be assured they are living organisms. You'd need a microscope and a science degree to identify what life form they are, though.

 

[Acre4Me]

View attachment 2008501

Have you pulled away the membrane to see if the membrane is spotted or if it is only the shell. In this pic, it looks like the membrane is still lining the shell.

 

[aart]

Yes, the spots are on the shell, under the membrane. The spots don't stain the membrane or transfer to the yoke or white

Just pigment in the shell then......Whew! Eh?

 

[FortCluck]

Your shells could be porous and allowing bacteria to enter the egg.

I personally would not eat it if it's bacteria or mold.

 

[azygous]

I agree with @FortCluck. I wouldn't eat the eggs nor would I feed them to the chickens until I determine whether or not they are ALIVE! The simple experiment I posted can determine if these are indeed alive. If they are living organisms, I would assume bacteria.

We do know that bacteria can enter a porous egg shell and kill the embryo developing inside, so this guess isn't out there in left field.

The chickens probably didn't install the bacteria. The nest box could be fouled or the bacteria is entering from a dirty cloaca as the egg is being laid.

 

[aart]

Have you pulled away the membrane to see if the membrane is spotted or if it is only the shell. In this pic, it looks like the membrane is still lining the shell.

Yes, this!
Easiest to peel the membrane back immediately after opening egg.

Also what does the outside of the shell look like in that area?
If you know which eggs are affected, try candling before opening to look for porosity.
Actually could 'candle' just the empty shell.

 

[Farmgirlintheruff]

Have you pulled away the membrane to see if the membrane is spotted or if it is only the shell. In this pic, it looks like the membrane is still lining the shell.

Yes, the spots are on the shell, under the membrane. The spots don't stain the membrane or transfer to the yoke or white

 

[FortCluck]

I think I will try to post this in the disease section for that answer
These eggs are coming out of the chicken, looking like this. Not sitting around. I like all the ideas about this though. I just want to stop what ever is causing this.

Don't post another thread so you can keep all your answers in one thread, it will be easier that way. Just edit this one and ask how to fix it.

 

[Farmgirlintheruff]

Thanks! New to the forum, so, has anyone else ever dealt with this problem before, and how was it resolved.