[Paddywack]

Hi all,
Can anyone tell me where the colour comes from in Maran eggs?

Yes I know it’s a strange question and the reason I ask is,

I have 3 Maran hens and up to 4 weeks ago they were really good layers but now the numbers have started to drop off.

Last week I had a Maran egg that was cream; it had no dark brown colour at all. Yesterday had 2 eggs that were very patchy being dark and light brown.
 
Is it the time of year or are they deficient in something, can anyone help

Thanks

[Roughlee Handled]

First of all how old are your chickens?

Are they eating ok?

Is there poo looking ok?

Have you changed there diet or moved there run?

Have they been wormed recently?

Have you checked them for crawlies?

[Paddywack]

Hi Roughlee,

Just been reading your thread about incubating eggs, the experience of hatching your own eggs by far out ways the cost of the incubator, I’ve had my incy for 6 months and it’s great fun, although 21 days seems to drag when you have eggs in.

Sorry back to your questions,

In the pen I have 3 hens and a cock, all around 11 months old
They are eating fine, they get about 150g of layer pellets and some greens in the morning and in the evening a handful of corn each, still in the same run they have been in for 6 months.

There poo seems ok, I’ve had a look at auntys poo thread and checked, no change in their diet and have just finished worming them.

I gave them a dose of spot on about 5 months ago, it’s for external and internal parasites, however I have not checked recently but will do this afternoon, if there are no crawlies any other ideas?

Thanks for the quick reply   


And good luck with the incubating, fingers crossed for your first hatch

[poultrygeist]

Hi paddywhack.

THIS LINK tells you about shell colour. It's basically genetically presetermined but worth reading.

Rob

[Roughlee Handled]

............In the pen I have 3 hens and a cock, all around 11 months old.......

I am looking forward to filling it with eggs er well just a few. 

Back to the question do you have a few more feathers lieing around? As around a year old they normally start a full moult.  My one remaining Chicken is half way though a full moult.

[Paddywack]

Thanks for the link poultrygeist,



I have not notice any excess feathers laying around but the chucks will eat them if there are, i will check in their house.

If a chicken is moulting will it just lose feathers which are replaced or do they go fluffy,

yes fluffy,

i have a Light Sussex cock which over the past couple of weeks seems to have gone fluffy. the dark colouring around his neck has faded as well, is that moulting?

Thanks Roughlee

[Roughlee Handled]

You will know when they start to moult.  As they look very rough and have lost a lot of feather.

[Paddywack]

Thanks Roughlee

Any ideas on the fluffy Light Sussex, or should i start another thread with a photo?

[Roughlee Handled]

I have 3 Maran hens and up to 4 weeks ago they were really good layers but now the numbers have started to drop off.

Last week I had a Maran egg that was cream; it had no dark brown colour at all. Yesterday had 2 eggs that were very patchy being dark and light brown.

To recap you are experiencing a loss in egg production in you chickens.  They are pure breed Marans?
The colour of the egg shell is changing from the characteristic chestnut brown to lighter colour/shade.
And you Cock is going fluffy. (please no puns)

It does sound odd.  Photos always help and are the law round here.
I am at a loss.

The only thing I would check for now is crawlies on the chickens and red spider mite in the coop.  It is odd the eggs are changing colour along with the loss in egg production.

Do the chickens have access to grit?
Do the chickens have access to oyster shell?

[poultrygeist]

I think pale colour can be caused by overheating or maybe dehydration ?

The later may be more likely than the former with the recent weather.

Rob

[Roughlee Handled]

Ohhh yes that rings a bell poultrygeist.

[Paddywack]

Hi All,

Have been to check the girls out and no crawlies on them, did notice feather loss on their backs but I guess this is down to the Maran cockerel treading them.

There is always an oyster shell grit mix available, as is water; I think the next course action is to look for red spider mite; it may not cure the discolouration (or maybe it will) but may get the eggs coming again.
I will get a photo of the next pale Maran egg and also the fluffy Light Sussex cockerel and put it up.

Thanks again for your help

[poultrygeist]

If you read the other articles on eggs from that link I posted, discolouration can be caused by general stress in the birds. I wonder if they are being trodden too much ??

Rob

[Paddywack]

Thanks for your reply poultrygeist,

Didn't think they could be trodden too much, we live and learn,

After seeing the poor state of their backs i have moved the Maran cockerel to give the girls a rest and to recover some feathers

[Aunt Sally]

In the pen I have 3 hens and a cock, all around 11 months old

Poor girls 

I don't know much about cockerels as I've never had one but I believe you should have about one cockerel to about 10-12 hens