3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[sim]

Hi,

 

Last week we had a batch of softies laid, one I think was eaten by one of the girls. We weren't too concerned- the girls free-range a lot, so we just kept them in their run for a day to make sure they're eating their pellets and we keep them in a bit longer on mornings. A couple of days after that we got an unusual coloured shell which was rolling around the run. Our girls only ever lay in their nesting box, so that was unusual. Today, we had an egg that looks exactly the same, but this time it was on the gravel garden path. Not a comfy place to lay! I was wondering if hens abandon eggs they're not sure about? It seems odd that the only eggs that weren't cared for by them are their most unusual ones.

 

Not too concerned in terms of eggs for us, but if it's a symptom that the girls need extra supplements then I'd rather know about it. We can get egg-shell improver or anything else, no problem. Just want to know it's nothing more sinister and if anyone else's girls do this! We haven't cracked either egg yet so no idea what's inside.

 

Here are some pics:

 

 

 

ETA: I think these are laid by the same girl that lays massive double-yolkers every three days or so. I can't be sure though - it's between the two gingernuts.

 

Thanks for looking x

[sim]

Just saw on another forum that the rough textured 'bullseye' pattern is a consequence of being laid in the light rather than the dark of a nesting box. That put my mind at ease, knowing that we've only had these two like it and they wet the only two not in the nest. But now I want to know why the girl responsible dropped her load on a gravel path instead of the nesting box or under a bush!

[surfer_chicken]

Yes, my girls often lay eggs off the nest (e.g. if they've found a nice comfy corner in the garden), and they always have markings on like that, still perfectly fine to eat though. I would encourage them to use the nest before this becomes habit, mostly to avoid having to go on regular egg hunts

[sim]

Yes, my girls often lay eggs off the nest (e.g. if they've found a nice comfy corner in the garden), and they always have markings on like that, still perfectly fine to eat though. I would encourage them to use the nest before this becomes habit, mostly to avoid having to go on regular egg hunts

 

Thanks for replying!

 

I ate one of the marked eggs yesterday and it was fine, so I'm not concerned anymore! still not sure why the girl/s did this (the garden gravel path doesn't look cosy!) but maybe it was because they were due a clean-out that day and there wasn't enough straw or something.