What is this??

[gmaccis]

Any idea what is on this egg? I have a flock of about 35 laying hens, and occasionally get an egg like this...it seems to be some kind of critter eggs [larvae?] that stick to the bloom when the egg is laid. They're very dry, and flake off, but I'm guessing I've got a hen with some internal parasite, or maybe something at her vent? TIA for any insight you can provide!

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

@azygous

 

[Eggcessive]

It may be calcium deposits. There are a number of threads and links online, and here is a BYC thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/weird-tiny-balls-on-ee-egg-what-is-this.632219/

 

[azygous]

The first time I ever saw an egg like that in one of my nests, I also thought insect eggs. But no, those are calcium pimples as @Eggcessive mentioned. I've found they occur most often with an older layer. Chickens age and their parts begin to function less efficiently. You may find that such an egg will have a rather thin shell due to the uneven calcium deposit it gets while passing through the shell gland.

 

[gmaccis]

Thanks, if it's just calcium I'm not concerned, it just seemed odd to me that it would flake off so easily. I have had eggs with random calcium "bumps", but they wouldn't come off without damaging the shell. The shell on this egg is not at all thin. Appreciate the insight and happy to know I'm probably not dealing with some kind of creepy crawlies!

 

[21hens-incharge]

I also thought bug eggs until one of my green layers had a bunch of those On her egg and they were green as well.