Wrinkled egg (with pic)

[YorkieGirl100]

Hi - we've had a couple of eggs recently that are a slightly odd shape (i.e. large and longer than usual) with a 'wrinkled' texture. I've included a pic alongside a 'normal' egg for comparison.

They are also more fragile than usual and break easily. Does anyone know if it's something to worry about - or just an odd-looking egg?

Thanks!

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Hi there. I get a wrinkled egg occasionally but not all that often. Just make sure your girls are getting enough nutrition including calcium and protein and they should be fine. One of my hens got really stressed out when I put the rooster in a separate pen. She started "laying" shell-less eggs for a couple of days, lost feathers as well. She is back to laying normally now.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How old is the hen/pullet that is laying the egg?
What type of food/treats do you feed?
Do you provide oyster shell free choice?


Shell quality can be affected from a number of things - stress, diet, worms, lice/mites and history of other illness like respiratory disease are few common causes.
It would be a good idea to look at diet to see if something needs to be changed - possibly cutting down on extras like treats, if you don't provide OS free choice then make those available. Check your birds for lice/mites and get a fecal float to rule out worm infestations.

 

[YorkieGirl100]

Thanks all. She is approx 18 months old. They have layers pellets plus corn and mealworms as a treat - plus greens, such as lettuce. I'll take a look for lice/mites.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Check out this article... https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/common-egg-quality-problems.65923/