[sheridal]

Yesterday, when I collected our eggs, there was an egg that was completely crushed, not pecked, in the nesting box. All of its contents were soaked into the straw. Does anyone know what has happened? Is it likely that one of the hens has pecked the egg and then it has been crushed by the other hens coming in to lay, or could it have somehow been laid like that?

Sorry if this is a daft question, but I surprised to the extent of how crushed the egg was.

[Vember]

Sounds as if it wasn't a very strong shelled egg and it's been squished by either the hen that laid it or another hen going in to lay.

You will no doubt be able to spot the crusher, she'll have yolk stuck to her feathers might be an idea to try and wash it of off with some warm water an baby shampoo if you have any :?

I've had this happen once or twice, keep an eye if it happens again it might be worth while trying to get some more calcium into their diet

I'm presuming they have oyster shell down all the time? and grit to help digest food?

Do they have layers pellets :?  Another thing I occasionally give is limestone flour mixed with food, that adds extra calcium.




Sarah

[Lemon]

Hi Sheridal,

We've had the same thing here too!  We got 2 pol hybrids last Friday and they've been good layers, almost 2 a day (1 on first day and one had day off on Sun).

Yesterday, when home from work we saw a crumpled sac looking thing in the run and I assumed it was a 'softy' egg (i've only read about them don't know what they are like).  When we later shifted the house & run I think I saw some clear slime in the grass which I take to be the egg albumen.  There was no trace of any yolk.  Not sure who was the culprit but we had 2 eggs from them anyway?!?!

This morning, after letting the hens out, we saw another crumpled/crushed object on the hen house floor.  When I picked it up I realised it was a thin-shelled egg.  We found the yolk in the bedding in the poop drawer.

I've now put a small dish of mixed grit and shells for them to pick at during the day but they have super corn in the afternoon which contains shell and grit anyway.  They tend to pick the grains to eat and leave the corn and pea bits and are picky as to whether they want any shells or not.

Will hopefully find out how we get on tomorrow.