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There are a few oddities you may see in your eggs that may or may not be cause for concern. Here are a few oddball egg issues and what to do about them.
Bloody Eggshell
Maybe a sign of coccidia, which causes bloody diarrhea. It may also be caused by excessive protein in the layer feed. Excess protein can cause pullets to begin to lay eggs before their bodies are ready, which causes small tears in the vent area, leaving shells smeared.
Soft or Thin Eggshells
It can be caused by a few diseases, most notable Infectious Bronchitis. It may also be caused by extremely hot weather, peak egg-laying production, an imbalance in the diet with the calcium/phosphorus ratio, or the age of the hen.
Pale Shells
Brown egg-laying breeds may begin to lay paler eggs as they age. Pale eggs may also be caused by Infectious Bronchitis or Newcastle disease; both can cause damage to the shell gland. Pale shells can also be caused by excessive stress in the flock.
Fairy Eggs or Wind Eggs
Small, yolkless eggs are called wind eggs or fairy eggs. They usually have a normal shell but only contain egg white on the inside. It is generally seen at the beginning or end of a hen’s laying season. It is caused by a tiny bit of reproductive tissue that the hen’s body treats as an egg yolk, encasing it in albumen, membrane, and shell to form a miniature egg.
Oddly Shaped, Flat or Wrinkled Shells
Most often caused by trauma, such as jumping down from high roosts or being frightened or chased by predators. It may also be caused by viral respiratory infections that affect the reproductive tract also. It can also be seen in pullets that have been vaccinated for those respiratory diseases.
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