The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: melholly on July 07, 2013, 09:07:06 pm

Title: Odd egg behaviour
Post by: melholly on July 07, 2013, 09:07:06 pm
Evening everyone!


So I've just moved my 4 girls and Jack out into a run for a bit of evening pick at grass. Was watching them and to my astonishment my Columbian Blacktail pops out an egg on the grass! Odd as 1) there was no fuss as is the norm 2) She never lays out of the nest box and 3) She's already, definitely laid today! Now this egg was rounded (rather than oval) and was v soft. I know, as within a split second of laying they all devoured it - all the others including the cockerel. There was no crunch of shell but a definite yolk and white.


What was that? Why did they all go mad for it? Never had an egg eating problem with them ever?


V odd!


Mx
Title: Re: Odd egg behaviour
Post by: chrismahon on July 07, 2013, 09:31:26 pm
Not an egg eating problem as such Melholly. All chickens will eat a broken egg - the problems start when they break an egg to eat it. Even going into the nest box to fetch them.


She may have got over excited and laid next days egg early- before the shell formed overnight. I don't see that as a problem if it remains a one-off.
Title: Re: Odd egg behaviour
Post by: melholly on July 07, 2013, 09:45:30 pm
Thanks Chris,


I did wonder if the grass freedom may have excited her!


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