Wrinkled or Mis-Shaped Eggs, Ever had one? Infectious Bronichitis Info

[steffpeck]

Some of you may have read my thread on having to cull my flock. I don't have a concrete diagnosis of IB, but after talking with several different people and doctors the consensus is that my flock, at least the older ones have had IB go through the flock. I know that there have been several threads on here about weird eggs and wanted everone to be aware of this.

After talking with the Head of the Poultry Department for Utah State University, I have learned the following: Infectious Bronchitis is caused by the Coronavirus, and can be spread by wild birds, rodents, feed sacks, you could even get it at the feed store if someone with infected birds had it on their clothes or shoes and you came in contact with it, and brought it home to your flock. They told me that Infectious Bronchitis is very common, especially the mild strain, it can go through your flock with absolutely NO symptoms other than mis-shaped, or wrinkled eggs, which is the result of damage to the reproductive tract of the chickens.

There are other causes of wrinkled eggs or mis-shaped eggs, but Infectious Bronchitis is one of the most common reasons for them. I just wanted everyone to know about this and to be aware of it.

Here is a picture of my wrinkled egg, just so everyone can see what I am talking about......

 

[bwebb7]

very interseting
thanks for the info

 

[Chirpy]

I have occasional wrinkled eggs but not nearly like the one in your picture. Do you always/daily have those wrinkled eggs?

What else could cause occasional, wrinkled eggs? My chickens have 24/7 access to oyster shell. They also free range almost every day.

 

[speckledhen]

I can truly say I've never had an egg like that-that's very much a symptom of IB. Other egg problems can be caused by heat stress and molting, especially when those two are combined. Thin shells, shell-less eggs, brown eggs that lose their color, etc. Many causes for those eggs, but the one in Steff's pic is so indicative of IB. At least you have the complete scoop on it now, Steff!

 

[therealsilkiechick]

forgive me i've read ur threads but somewhere i missed alot of info, i'm confused why u think they have IB and they all needed culled is it just because of the wrinkled egg?

here is info from 3 sources for u all so everyone can learn some about what IB is, signs and such. yes alot of people don't know much about it.
silkie


INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS
A coronavirus infection causing respiratory disease and kidney damage in young birds with reduced growth rate and increased FCR in broilers. In layers causes depressed egg production and poor shell quality. Infection in young birds often followed by colibacillosis. Many strains of IB exist. Currently, mortality and drops in egg production without gross respiratory signs can occur following infection with an IB variant, 4/91 (793B, or CR88). These strains are more pathogenic than the other Dutch strains (D278). Diagnosis can be complicated serology, PCR and virus isolation are used. Elimination of the involvement of other respiratory viruses is essential. The standard vaccines have not given good control. The correct use of both the inactivated and live vaccines properly administered is essential. A live 4/91 vaccine is now available.




Infectious Bronchitis
Synonyms: IB, bronchitis, cold
Species affected: Infectious bronchitis is a disease of chickens only. A similar disease occurs in bobwhite quail (quail bronchitis), but it is caused by a different virus.

Clinical signs: The severity of infectious bronchitis infection is influenced by the age and immune status of the flock, by environmental conditions, and by the presence of other diseases. Feed and water consumption declines. Affected chickens will be chirping, with a watery discharge from the eyes and nostrils, and labored breathing with some gasping in young chickens. Breathing noises are more noticeable at night while the birds rest. Egg production drops dramatically. Production will recover in 5 or 6 weeks, but at a lower rate. The infectious bronchitis virus infects many tissues of the body, including the reproductive tract (see Table 1 ). Eggshells become rough and the egg white becomes watery. (See publication PS-24, Egg Quality, for other causes of poor egg quality.)

Transmission: Infectious bronchitis is a very contagious poultry disease. It is spread by air, feed bags, infected dead birds, infected houses, and rodents. The virus can be egg-transmitted, however, affected embryos usually will not hatch.

Treatment: There is no specific treatment for infectious bronchitis. Antibiotics for 3-5 days may aid in combating secondary bacterial infections. Raise the room temperature 5°F for brooding-age chickens until symptoms subside. Baby chicks can be encouraged to eat by using a warm, moist mash.

Prevention: Establish and enforce a biosecurity program. Vaccinations are available.

and one here-

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/206500.htm

 

[steffpeck]

Real Silkie, I have been told by a few different individuals, along with a few different vetrinarians, one of them being the head of the Poultry division at Utah State University, that the egg in the picture is a classic IB egg. It is the result of the chicken having IB and their reproductive tract being damaged. I was originally told or read somewhere that if the Chickens are infected with IB then they will be carriers for life. Because of this, I had decided that culling my flock and starting over would be the best thing to do so that future chicks would not be infected. However, since making that decision I talked with the Head of Utah State Univeristy, and was informed that they are not carriers for life, once it has ran it's course, and the virus in longer in my coop, because they are now all immune to it, the virus will be gone. They are immune to it for life, not carriers for life. I also learned that you can vaccinate your chicks against IB. So know I don't have to worry about culling my flock.

I have only had this one wrinkled egg, no others like it. However, I have mis-shaped eggs, chalky shelled eggs, pale eggs, weird shelled eggs, that look like 3 or 4 layers of shell have been placed on the egg in uneven layers on some places, all which the head at Utah State University said are the result of damage from IB. I get at least one of these "odd" eggs a day. That is because they have had permanent damage to their oviduct. One thing I did learn is that if they are infected when they are not laying, either to young, in moult, etc. then the likely hood of damage to their oviduct is very low. So, I am lucky if my teenagers did get it, they were not laying yet so they should be fine. Also, the virus is not spread through the egg, so if a chick hatches it is not infected, and in fact it will have maternal immunity for 2-3 weeks.

I will try and get some pictures of my other wierd eggs, so that everyone can see them.

 

[silkiechicken]

I had a ugly half wrinkled egg once, but that came out of brown hen, a hen who had become an internal layer at a year old and just holds on and shows enough life for me to not want to cull her. She's 3 now.

Best of luck and glad you don't have to cull!

 

[Chirpy]

This thread has been very helpful for me.

steffpeck: That was excellent information - thank you.

 

[justabitdotty]

OK, I'm just going to jump in with both feet. A member of our congregation gifted us with a dozen chickens two weeks ago. All has gone well, but today I collected an egg looking similar, although not quite as extreme, to the one in the original post on this thread. Should I be concerned? The chickens seem healthy, with no discharge from eyes and no audible breathing problems.

I am by no means experienced, and am only going on what I've read here. The birds' former owner only kept them for their fertilizing properties, and really paid no attention to them whatsoever. He has dozens. They are, I believe, American Games.

Is this probably something that has been experienced by the flock before, since they seem to be in good health otherwise? Or do I need to do something, and if so, what?

Thanks for reading...

 

[Three_Blessings]

Great info you shared with us. The picture was very helpful. Thanks.