From time-to-time, you may notice one or two slightly strange-looking eggs. The quality of the eggs can indicate a number of things in your chickens, so it’s important you stay on the look-out for problems.
There are a few egg abnormalities you may come across
Soft – shelled eggs – occasionally, a hen may lay a soft-shelled egg. If this happens once in a while, then it’s not necessarily any cause for concern. It’s only if this becomes a regular occurrence that there may be an underlying problem. Soft-shelled eggs can be cause by some illnesses, or a calcium deficiency in your chook’s diet.
Blood spots – if you notice a blood spot in the yolk, there’s no need to panic. This is usually just caused by a small blood vessel breakage, possibly due to a small fright the bird received while the yolk was in development.
Watery Egg Whites – a hen’s eggs may get a little watery as she gets older, but it’s also caused by hot weather. When it’s quite warm outside, the albumen (egg white) can be a little watery. If you collect your eggs promptly, then this shouldn’t be a problem.
Comments
Anne, 27 July 2016
One of my hens is a light Suffolk and eighteen months old. For the last four mornings, I have found eggs laid by her. The egg has a collapsed soft shell,but seem to have a normal yolk and white. She is well otherwise.
An Omleteer, 23 June 2013
I was worried as last few days the eggs have had watery whites. Now I know it's down to the hot weather I can relax! Great information on the site. Thanks.
Julie, 21 May 2012
My chicken gets upset when she lays a egg with a soft shell. Now we know whats up we can help her be a happy hen.