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Kazz's Avatar
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Cats owned: Non at the moment
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07-08-2010, 07:32 PM   #11

Re: Wrinkled Egg and huge egg


According to my Dad...chicken keeper for 28 years before he got married....he said young hens about 6 -12 months old before they start laying then it can take up to 6 months for their body to get used to laying, and he used to get weird shaped eggs and a lot of double yokers as well as wrinkly eggs from young hens. He said they taste fine the eggs that is.



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calismum's Avatar
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Cats owned: Two Tabby Girls
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07-08-2010, 08:40 PM   #12

Re: Wrinkled Egg and huge egg


Quote:
Originally Posted by borderdawn
I was led to believe this was due to stress, disease and/or over crowding in hens. Also sometimes because of a defective shell gland.

I found this tooescription
Misshapen eggs are those whose shells differ obviously from the smooth, ‘normal’ shape. They include eggs with shells marred by flat sides or body checks (ribs, wrinkles or grooves), and eggs that are too large or too round. Flat sided eggs are discussed on page 37, and bodychecked eggs.

Incidence
The incidence of misshapen eggs varies considerably depending on how severely the eggs are judged. Normally, up to 2% of production is downgraded due to these faults. The incidence of misshapen eggs can vary with the strain of bird, but they are most often produced by pullets coming into lay, or hens late in lay. often as a result of double ovulation.
Cause Control
Immature shell gland Delay onset of sexual maturity 1 to 2 weeks by controlled feeding during rearing.
Defective shell gland Cull birds which persistently produce such eggs.
Diseases, e.g. infections bronchitis Follow an effective vaccination programme.
Stress, e.g. frights and disturbances To avoid frightening birds, minimise human activity in and around the shed. Increase shed security to stop other birds and animals entering the shed.
Crowding Avoid overstocking.
Wow - no idea there could be so many reasons. They are all free range and have loads of perching room, so I assume it is just that she is a young hen - just coming into lay, I think this is only her 4th or 5th egg.

The first bit of your post gave me a bit of a fright!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kazz
According to my Dad...chicken keeper for 28 years before he got married....he said young hens about 6 -12 months old before they start laying then it can take up to 6 months for their body to get used to laying, and he used to get weird shaped eggs and a lot of double yokers as well as wrinkly eggs from young hens. He said they taste fine the eggs that is.
Thanks Kazz, put my mind at rest, I'd hate to think I caused them any distress.



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angieh's Avatar
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07-08-2010, 08:43 PM   #13

Re: Wrinkled Egg and huge egg


I'm sure you are right - it's not unusual for hens just past POL to lay some odd eggs, especially double-yolkers.

Not sure of the type of ground they run on CM - do you put any supplementary grit down for them?



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calismum's Avatar
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07-08-2010, 08:46 PM   #14

Re: Wrinkled Egg and huge egg


Quote:
Originally Posted by angieh
I'm sure you are right - it's not unusual for hens just past POL to lay some odd eggs, especially double-yolkers.

Not sure of the type of ground they run on CM - do you put any supplementary grit down for them?
Yes, they have a holder with grit and crushed oyster shell. They are out in the field which is mainly grass but they have scraped a good few dust baths which also have wee bits of grit etc.



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07-08-2010, 09:09 PM   #15

Re: Wrinkled Egg and huge egg


I've just looked up my poultry problem book and misshapen eggs can also be laid by fat birds.



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calismum's Avatar
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07-08-2010, 09:37 PM   #16

Re: Wrinkled Egg and huge egg


Ok - so now you all have me running for my books, surfing every poultry site on my favs and sneaking out to the coop to check they have grit and she's not to fat!!

Now I am worrying that there is some dreadful problem.

No - honestly folks thanks for the ideas - but I really think it is just young hen, getting the hang of things.

(DM - next time I have a weird egg I'll just pm you a pic - lol)



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dandysmom's Avatar
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07-08-2010, 10:40 PM   #17

Re: Wrinkled Egg and huge egg


(DM - next time I have a weird egg I'll just pm you a pic - lol)

LOL, didn't mean to start an controversy; I was just curious what a wrinkly egg looked like!



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Cats owned: dsh
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07-08-2010, 10:44 PM   #18

Re: Wrinkled Egg and huge egg


Quote:
Originally Posted by calismum
Ok - so now you all have me running for my books, surfing every poultry site on my favs and sneaking out to the coop to check they have grit and she's not to fat!!

Now I am worrying that there is some dreadful problem.

No - honestly folks thanks for the ideas - but I really think it is just young hen, getting the hang of things.

(DM - next time I have a weird egg I'll just pm you a pic - lol)
I think you are right, I usually get a few weird eggs at the start of spring. I just thought it was funny that fat birds lay them- I've yet to find a fat laying hen, all the energy goes into the eggs.



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08-08-2010, 11:34 PM   #19

Re: Wrinkled Egg and huge egg


Quote:
Originally Posted by calismum
Wow - no idea there could be so many reasons. They are all free range and have loads of perching room, so I assume it is just that she is a young hen - just coming into lay, I think this is only her 4th or 5th egg.

The first bit of your post gave me a bit of a fright!!
If its because she is young, you will know soon enough, probably is if she is well in every other way.



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