![]() A trip to the vet and some antibiotics can usually cure this, but obviously, if you're using eggs for breeding, then the ones from the infected hen should not be used. A translucent roof covering is ideal.Įqually some diseases, such as infectious bronchitis, can cause soft-shelled eggs. Obviously, during the short winter days, your hens might go off lay, however, if your run or pen has a dark or black roofing on it, causing your hens to be in shade all day, this might have enough of an effect to stop them laying. Whilst they like somewhere dark to nestle down to actually lay an egg, they need to get plenty of daylight to get going.Ĭonvention says they need approximately twelve hours of daylight to produce an egg. It can be something as simple as your girls are not getting enough daylight. There are other reasons that a hen might be laying a soft-shelled egg. The opposite is what is called a double yolker, which is the reverse where there are too many yolks in one egg. Wind eggs or cock eggs are very small eggs, comprising of no yolk at all, just egg white. While fine for eating, these eggs shouldn't be used for hatching or selling. Extra layers of calcium are then deposited around this band before the egg moves on. This is formed when a shock stops the egg in place. More common than a softshell is for an egg to have a thicker band of shell around its middle. Cal-Boost is a concentrated calcium supplement with added vitamin D3, which when added to drinking water will help improve shell strength, thickness and quality.Įqually, oyster shell grit and making sure that their feed is of good quality, and well-known feed, will help keep eggshells strong. In both these instances, the laying of softshell eggs is fairly common, but in a middle-aged chicken, it can sometimes be a sign of a calcium deficiency.Ī calcium deficiency in a hen is easily solved, through either giving your hens Oystershell Grit to peck at, or through using a calcium supplement, like Flyte so Fancy Cal-Boost Poultry Calcium. In young hens, it happens as their bodies change to get ready for egg production, and in older hens as they reach the natural conclusion of their egg-laying period where the eggshells can become thinner and weaker and therefore deformed. Personally, I would avoid consuming these eggs and add to compost pile.The laying of soft-shelled eggs can happen to both young hens, as they come into lay, and older hens as they stop laying. Water pressure used to clean the egg can push microscopic exterior contents inside the egg. There is a higher risk of Salmonella from feces covered eggs. Egg shells are porous and dirty eggs are a sign that the hen’s laying area is not well kept. Wet droppings or poor gut health make sure you feed a quality diet.Įdible? In theory, you can clean off well and cook fully to meet safety guidelines.Then, add the bedding material of your choice (pine shavings or soft straw) and top with Serenity Sprouts Nest Box Herbs. To help improve living conditions, place a small amount of Serenity Sprouts Dust Bath on the bottom of a deep cleaned nest box. Eggs should clean and the nest box should be pleasant for both the hens and the egg collectors. At the first sign of smudges on eggs, I would recommend a deep cleaning of the coop and nest box area. Indication that the living conditions are not clean.The run may be too muddy causing the hens lower bodies and feet to be muddy.It is possible that a hen requires training to lay eggs in a designated nest box versus laying on the ground.It is good for tossing in your compost pile or cooking and giving to your dogs, cats, or pigs as a treat.ĭescription: The egg shell is smeared in dried feces and/or dirt. I do not recommend for human consumption. Without the shell, it is hard to know what has passed through the membrane. ![]()
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