[Offgridgreg]

Hi wonder if anyone can advice..

I have a mixed flock with lots of marans in there,but one of the marans is laying a dark egg with a white coating on it with wipes off leaving a brown shell underneath

Does anyone know what it is and if there is anything more I can do to prevent it???

I'd welcome your thoughts
Regards..

[darkbrowneggs]

This normally happens when the birds are under stress, particularly when a youngster is first coming into lay.  Very occasionally they will continue to do this, and then it maybe as well to check if anything is upsetting the birds, such as rodents or predator visits, poor living conditions or incorrect feeding. 


It is such a well known stress indicator that commercial units testing for stress levels actually use it as a signal.  But I expect it is an early layer and she will revert to true egg colour soon.  With Marans never gauge the egg colour until after about the 20th egg.   

[Offgridgreg]

Yes most are young birds just starting so hopefully it's the reason...

Thanks for the info sue...