Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: sjsailing on March 10, 2011, 19:50

Title: Strange egg-white - any advice?
Post by: sjsailing on March 10, 2011, 19:50

Hi all

My young Light Sussex had been laying with no problem for about 7 weeks (from POL).  The last 8 days she is laying successfully every second day, with the odd soft shell egg in between. 

Then today she laid a very thin-shelled egg.  I was concerned as it didn't seem heavy enough, so I broke it and it had a good yoke and a thin and watery white.... any ideas? No we didn't eat it or feed it back to them.

She seems okay in herself except for lose stools (oh yes, another chance to discuss chicken poo here!!!!).

Thanks in advance, SJx   :(

Title: Re: Strange egg-white - any advice?
Post by: rachelr on March 10, 2011, 19:52

dunno about the white but soft shells usually mean a lack of calcium.

I crush calcium up and put it in half a grape and feed it to mine.

Title: Re: Strange egg-white - any advice?
Post by: Sassy on March 11, 2011, 08:13

When they first come into lay as youngsters you can get the odd strange egg. Make sure they have oyster shell available for helping with good shells. :)

Title: Re: Strange egg-white - any advice?
Post by: sjsailing on March 12, 2011, 13:40

Thanks for the advice

I do give them oyster shell, strangely they love it!

Was just a bit concerned about the thin and watery egg-white.

SJx

Title: Re: Strange egg-white - any advice?
Post by: themagicaltoad1 on March 12, 2011, 20:25

I've not experienced them myself but have read other posts on here about thin and watery whites so they're obviously not uncommon. Give her time to settle into her egg laying, it's early days yet, and they'll probably disappear.