[Shoskyns]

Hi all

I have 3 bantam orpingtons, 2 of which are laying.  About 3 days ago, one of them laid a huge egg - nearly twice the weight of their normal sized eggs.  The shell was firm and it looked totally normal, just large.  This evening I boiled 3 eggs, including the large one.  When I opened the large one, the whole egg white was a sort of beige colour.  It was really weird. It smelt ever so slightly different too.  The other 2 eggs were totally normal in colour.

Any idea what this could be?  I didn't eat the discoloured egg.  My hens free range in our garden for 2-5 hours a day.  They are about a year old.  They are all fed on layers pellets the rest of the time.  Other than that they seem in good condition.  The one that isn't laying has recently molted so I'm guessing that's why she isn't laying at the moment.

Thanks all.

Sarah

[grinling]

Are you getting an egg a day from the hen or did it miss a day?

[Shoskyns]

I'm getting an egg a day from her. 

[Sassy]

It may be possible that some blood got into the egg during the making of it, but I have no idea whether this would explain the smell. It is only a theory