The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: suziequeue on May 30, 2010, 11:15:05 pm

Title: Shell-less egg
Post by: suziequeue on May 30, 2010, 11:15:05 pm

Hubby came across shell-less egg today (I was out at the time so didn't see it)

I have heard about soft shelled eggs but this sounded like an egg with no shell at all. He says the egg was unbroken and there was no broken shell bits lying around nearby.

Could a hen lay an unshelled egg?????

Bizarre!!

Susanna

Title: Re: Shell-less egg
Post by: plumseverywhere on May 31, 2010, 08:48:02 am

we've had some of them in the past, in fact one of mine is still laying them come to think of it.  I think its sometimes young birds just starting to lay or if they have had any big changes (move house etc) or even diet - not enough oyster shell grit.  ours is young bird who's usual nest box has been taken over by 'moody broody' ( I have to keep turfing her out to the sin bin) and I think its caused a bit of upset to this particular hen.

Title: Re: Shell-less egg
Post by: spencers mum on May 31, 2010, 09:33:05 am

Hi there  :wave:we've had a fair bit of this and the advice i was given was to up calcium levels ie greens, worms and make sure they are taking grit.  I also crush up old 'baked' egg shells and put that in with their corn/grit and they seem to eat that more than the grit. Hope this helps

Title: Re: Shell-less egg
Post by: suziequeue on May 31, 2010, 09:53:36 pm

Thanks very much. We'll be off to get grit tomorrow.

Relieved to hear that it's not a unique problem!!

Susanna