papple Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Hi everyone! I'm new to the Omlet forum and am hoping for some advice. I've noticed that one of our hens (French maran cuckoo) is laying eggs that are slightly strange. The eggs seems to have creases and ridges on the surface of the shell. The eggs are also not a consistent colour, being a medium brown on one side and then much lighter on the other side. The light side is also generally flat rather than being curved. I have also noticed that these eggs, in addition to being flat on one (or two) side, are generally longer and thinner (sometimes pointed!) than the eggs we got from the same hen before the ridges and flatness started. Finally, we have noticed on four occasions in the last ten days that these eggs have a hole in them. The hole is generally on the light coloured flat side of the egg and the hole is about four millimetres tall by about seven millimetres wide (the inner membrane is not broken). We found that a week or so ago the hens managed to eat one of these strange eggs. This first started at Christmas/New Year which we put down to loud noises (fire works etc.) but we're obviously more concerned about it now. I have not made any significant changes to the chicken's lives in the recent past. They are on the same routine as they have been on since they were collected over 13 months ago. I tend not to offer many treats (except for some corn) and let them free range a couple of times a week. There doesn't seem to be a pattern as to when the strange eggs are laid (i.e., they are laid all week rather than only after free ranging). I thought that there may be a calcium deficiency so have included oyster shell with the grit but this hasn't made a difference. I use the tonic the first week of every month, poo-pick most days and give the Eglu a wash once a week. A thorough autumn clean was done a couple of months ago but I have not used any new chemicals or products around the hens. The other thing that may be worth mentioning is that they have not had a moult since we got them. We have three hens - the french maran cuckoo mentioned above, a bovan goldline and a heritage skyline. They live in a Eglu that is housed in a run with hemcore at the base. Grit, water and food is available all day and we've never experienced them eating their own eggs before. The egg production has slowed down in the colder months but that was expected. Does anyone have a similar story, solution or ideas to help?! Any help would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Welcome to the forum! One thing you haven't mentioned ... have they been wormed with Flubenvet recently? It may be a calcium deficiency, you could try adding limestone flour to their pellets, with a little bit of cod liver oil to help stick it to the pellets and help with calcium absorption. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papple Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 Thanks for the response Iwescott. I am sorry to say that they have not been wormed recently. I will make sure that it's done this weekend and will also add some limestone flour to their pellets - is this better than oyster shell as I thought this worked for a calcium deficiency too? Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I'd get yourself some Flubenvet, give them in their pellets that for a week and no treats. After that try the limestone flour - oystershell is good but people find limestone flour added to their feed better as you know they're getting it rather than leaving bits at the bottom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
