Two weird egg questions

[bhawk-23]

A while back I broke an egg that was really gross. I have no idea what was inside. The egg shouldn't have been more than a few weeks old, if that. We do not have a rooster. Is this a bad sign? I'm not sure who laid it. Here are a couple pictures:

Then tonight our 1.5 yrs old silkie hen, who is a regular layer of good eggs, just laid this while we were locking up tonight. She laid a normal egg yesterday. I'm hoping it's just a glitch in her system. Here are a few pictures:

 

[Aunt Angus]

A while back I broke an egg that was really gross. I have no idea what was inside. The egg shouldn't have been more than a few weeks old, if that. We do not have a rooster. Is this a bad sign? I'm not sure who laid it. Here are a couple pictures:
View attachment 3332526
View attachment 3332527
View attachment 3332528
View attachment 3332529

Then tonight our 1.5 yrs old silkie hen, who is a regular layer of good eggs, just laid this while we were locking up tonight. She laid a normal egg yesterday. I'm hoping it's just a glitch in her system. Here are a few pictures:
View attachment 3332531View attachment 3332532View attachment 3332534View attachment 3332535

That first one is a rotten egg. I think those can be signs that the hen has an infection or a dietary issue that is causing egg shell defects that let in bacteria. I'd keep a VERY close eye on that hen for signs of illness. The second looks like a glitch where 2 eggs tried to form at the same time. Both lead me to believe that there might be a dietary issue for whatever reason. What are you feeding?

 

[bhawk-23]

That first one is a rotten egg. I think those can be signs that the hen has an infection or a dietary issue that is causing egg shell defects that let in bacteria. I'd keep a VERY close eye on that hen for signs of illness. The second looks like a glitch where 2 eggs tried to form at the same time. Both lead me to believe that there might be a dietary issue for whatever reason. What are you feeding?

For about 1 month now we are feeding all flock since only 2 hens are laying. They have free choice oyster shell and I dry and crush egg shells, which they prefer, and offer throughout the week. The rest are in molt or have not laid since early summer due to MD and MG.
They also get dried mealworms and, more recently, scratch daily. I toss a few handfuls for the whole flock.

 

[Aunt Angus]

For about 1 month now we are feeding all flock since only 2 hens are laying. They have free choice oyster shell and I dry and crush egg shells, which they prefer, and offer throughout the week. The rest are in molt or have not laid since early summer due to MD and MG.
They also get dried mealworms and, more recently, scratch daily. I toss a few handfuls for the whole flock.

I wonder if this is a result of the illnesses. It may resolve itself as they recover further. You might give extra calcium to those 2 layers directly, either in tablet form or calcium gluconate. If you do, do it daily for a week.

 

[bhawk-23]

I wonder if this is a result of the illnesses. It may resolve itself as they recover further. You might give extra calcium to those 2 layers directly, either in tablet form or calcium gluconate. If you do, do it daily for a week.

I have the calcium tablets that are suggested on here. Can I give the silky a whole one also?

 

[Aunt Angus]

I have the calcium tablets that are suggested on here. Can I give the silky a whole one also?

I would think so, but I know I'd be too afraid to. I'd probably halve it. I'm a scaredy cat.

 

[bhawk-23]

I would think so, but I know I'd be too afraid to. I'd probably halve it. I'm a scaredy cat.

I'll do half. Thank you.

I did not think about it being a bad shell that would have let bacteria in. Maybe I should just go back to all layer feed. We have 8 week old chicks and a few in hard molts and most already not laying because of the Marek's. I had hoped the higher protein would be beneficial for molting and easier to have the chicks integrate and just offer the eggshell as free choice.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'll do half. Thank you.

I did not think about it being a bad shell that would have let bacteria in. Maybe I should just go back to all layer feed. We have 8 week old chicks and a few in hard molts and most already not laying because of the Marek's. I had hoped the higher protein would be beneficial for molting and easier to have the chicks integrate and just offer the eggshell as free choice.

It might help for now while they are dealing with the illnesses. I feed all flock, too, because I have non-laying females and a rooster. My ducks didn't do well on it until I found oyster shell they'd actually eat. Lots of soft eggs. I gave layer pellets for a few weeks while trying to figure out what to do, and the problems cleared up. I don't think it would be too harmful as long as it is temporary. But I don't honestly know. I've read literature that says feeding everyone layer is fine, and other literature that said it was very detrimental for non-layers.

 

[bhawk-23]

It might help for now while they are dealing with the illnesses. I feed all flock, too, because I have non-laying females and a rooster. My ducks didn't do well on it until I found oyster shell they'd actually eat. Lots of soft eggs. I gave layer pellets for a few weeks while trying to figure out what to do, and the problems cleared up. I don't think it would be too harmful as long as it is temporary. But I don't honestly know. I've read literature that says feeding everyone layer is fine, and other literature that said it was very detrimental for non-layers.

We were feeding layer until I caught the babies (5-6 weeks?) chowing on it and since a majority were molting and/or not laying we thought to switching for a month would be good. We started with layer in the run and all flock outside but that didn't work so then half and half but that was a pain so just switched all together. That bag is nearly gone now, thoughts on what to purchase next week? And the silky is in the nest box currently so we shall see what she lays

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

I'll do half. Thank you.

I did not think about it being a bad shell that would have let bacteria in. Maybe I should just go back to all layer feed. We have 8 week old chicks and a few in hard molts and most already not laying because of the Marek's. I had hoped the higher protein would be beneficial for molting and easier to have the chicks integrate and just offer the eggshell as free choice.

On the note of bad shell, thin shell and bacteria crossing into the egg consider skipping the practice of feeding back egg shell until the issue has resolved fully. You are already offering oyster shell at will. While baking shells can destroy bacteria ‘it’s probably better to be safe than sorry and not risk contamination.
x2 on calcium.
Good luck.