White Egg From a Plymouth Rock?

[Lilorp14]

So today I went out to check on my chickies, and I saw a white egg in the bottom of the coop. I only have 2 hens at the moment that are laying, so I knew right away that this was from my hen Spinner. She's 5 years old, has laid about 5 eggs a year since she was 2, and has a good amount of brain damage. She spins in circles when distressed/excited/confused/evading predators, thus the name Spinner. Her usual egg is light brown with a frosty coating, but this one was pure white. Does that show she has a deficiency of some sort? Also, what was the frosty coating on her eggs before? I would wash the egg and by the time it dried it would be back.

Thanks,

-S

 

[Lady of McCamley]

The frosty coating was excessive bloom. Some hens do that, even as young layers, even fully healthy.

The lack of color is more concerning. It could mean illness, such as viral Infectious Bronchitis, however in a hen this old with known neural problems, I think it simply indicates further shutting down of her egg tract.

It is possible she is anemic. The brown is actually a hemoglobin coating applied while the egg travels down the egg duct. If birds are anemic, that can become paler.

Also, color lightens as they age, so it could simply be that.

If she appears otherwise happy and healthy, within her norm, she probably will stop laying altogether, and live out her days.

It could also be the harbinger that her systems are starting to shut down, so keep an eye on her so her passing of days are pleasant and not burdensome. Chickens will not indicate how sick they really are, part of their survival instinct, until it is nearly the end.

LofMc

 

[Lilorp14]

W

The frosty coating was excessive bloom. Some hens do that, even as young layers, even fully healthy.

The lack of color is more concerning. It could mean illness, such as viral Infectious Bronchitis, however in a hen this old with known neural problems, I think it simply indicates further shutting down of her egg tract.

It is possible she is anemic. The brown is actually a hemoglobin coating applied while the egg travels down the egg duct. If birds are anemic, that can become paler.

Also, color lightens as they age, so it could simply be that.

If she appears otherwise happy and healthy, within her norm, she probably will stop laying altogether, and live out her days.

It could also be the harbinger that her systems are starting to shut down, so keep an eye on her so her passing of days are pleasant and not burdensome. Chickens will not indicate how sick they really are, part of their survival instinct, until it is nearly the end.

LofMc

Well she's a good lady, so hopefully its just her being odd or she's just done with laying eggs. As useless and crazy as she is, it would be sad to see her go. She's the only bird left from my first flock of chickens. If it is her systems shutting down, I hope I go in there one day and see that she had peacefully died in her sleep.

 

[Lilorp14]

The frosty coating was excessive bloom. Some hens do that, even as young layers, even fully healthy.

The lack of color is more concerning. It could mean illness, such as viral Infectious Bronchitis, however in a hen this old with known neural problems, I think it simply indicates further shutting down of her egg tract.

It is possible she is anemic. The brown is actually a hemoglobin coating applied while the egg travels down the egg duct. If birds are anemic, that can become paler.

Also, color lightens as they age, so it could simply be that.

If she appears otherwise happy and healthy, within her norm, she probably will stop laying altogether, and live out her days.

It could also be the harbinger that her systems are starting to shut down, so keep an eye on her so her passing of days are pleasant and not burdensome. Chickens will not indicate how sick they really are, part of their survival instinct, until it is nearly the end.

LofMc

Is it possible that it could have been a boatload of extra bloom on top? I looked at it later last night and after they had scratched it a little it looked a little brown underneath. Not 100% certain but it seems like it. If this is the case does that indicate anything in particular?

Thanks,

-S

 

[Kiki]

Is it possible that it could have been a boatload of extra bloom on top? I looked at it later last night and after they had scratched it a little it looked a little brown underneath. Not 100% certain but it seems like it. If this is the case does that indicate anything in particular?

Thanks,

-S

It could mean that it sat in the egg laying machine toooo long.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Just watch. Likely a very, very slow egg tract of an aged hen.
LofMc