Hello. I'm new to the forum and so glad to have found you all! I have a mixed flock that we use for our own eggs presently. Looking to grow the flock next spring. Last week I noticed one of our Leghorns (hatched last spring) was limping. I checked her leg and didn't see what the problem could be - no obvious lacerations or swelling. Later that day she went back to the coop and laid on the floor. She laid an egg that day (since they started laying I've been amazed at how prolific Leghorns are - this is my first time trying them) - right where she lay. That evening she moved to a different section (again, of floor) of the coop and never got up again. She seemed alert until the morning I decided I needed to put her out of her misery. I had just assumed she injured herself and wasn't wanting to get around. Now, of course, I suspect that it was something more. On a different not (maybe) I've had a couple of odd white eggs lately. The first one that I noticed was when I was making omelettes. I didn't notice it looking different than the others, but it was difficult to whisk. I ended up throwing that batch out because the oranger-than-normal yolk wouldn't break up very well - it was almost as though it were partially cooked. This morning I had another one as I was making french toast. The yolk had streaks of darker orange and I could pick it up easily - as if it were a ball. (I can often pick up our yolks - but not like this - it was quite firm. And all of our eggs are a darker yellow/orange - but this was quite orange.) Anyone know if there was something wrong with my hen other than an injury? (I made sure she was right by the water and feed in the coop and assumed she was eating. In the end I wondered if she starved herself - because it really did seem as though she merely had an injured leg - not as though she were sick.) Anyone know what the deal is with those eggs? I disposed of the second egg as I did the first. Do you think they're alright to eat if I run into more? Thank you so much!! Shawnele
My thought when you said it looked like the yolk was partially cooked is if your hen had a fever...? Could have been a bone infection if her leg was bothering her? Looking forward to seeing what everybody else thinks.
