The Poultry Keeper

CP · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 12:27 pm Post subject:

Usually nothing to worry about. It's something that happens sometimes. Rolling Eyes

I don't know the reason for it though, so you may have to wait for an explanation from someone with more knowledge!

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Thanks CP
I've just been out now and there was a funny shaped hard egg (long and pointed) with what looks to be yolk on it - so I'm hoping the culprit has passed out what ever was stuck and hopefully will get back to normal again now.

nigel · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:55 pm Post subject:

from my experience soft eggs occur every now and then and are nothing to worry about unless they a a regular feature. It can be caused by lots of things. Lack of calcium obviously, but if they have layers as the main part of their diet this is unlikely. Stress can cause it too as can feeling just a bit off colour.

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Thanks Nigel
Although it was a shock this morning - I am not unduly worried right now - obviously if it continues to happen then there is something amiss.
They do have layers and grit on an adlib basis - plus corn and kitchen scraps - so I would be surprised if it was a diet issue.

I will keep my eyes open!

debcat · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 3:39 pm Post subject:

one of mine does it everynow and again
I think it's just one of those things, unless it continues on a regular basis Confused

Hope she is back to normal in a day or so

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Thanks for your reassurance Deb.
No wonder my egg count had been down for a few days!!!

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I think one or two of mine did it when they were moulting ~ obviously difficult enough doing one thing, never mind two!

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Thanks Summayah
I have searched some old threads and it seems that it is quite common even in mature birds - so I won't worry at this stage!!!

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

That's good, we don't want you wandering down in the night with a torch to see who is doing what in the hen house!
To be honest, when I found mine I thought I was doing something wrong...i.e. not enough grit ~ so sent the children to check all the grit thingies. But they were all at least half full, so I made doubly sure and got them to fill them all up and sprinkle grit in the run....how over the top is that???

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Not over the top at all !!! I filled my grit too - just in case it had maybe got a bit wet or something!
The fact that they free range over concrete grass mud rubble and whatever else and have totally ignored the grit, didn't make any difference! I still replenished just in case!!!