Chloe Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Hi all I have a 2/3 year old Brahma hen who lays a lovely light cream coloured egg, this past month or so I’ve noticed that a day or so after it’s layed it turned spotty, it looks like dark grease marks appear unlike my maran who lays a ‘proper’ speckled egg. Does anybody have and idea why this is, not sure what or if I need to do anything for her diet etc they are free range and have layers available throughout the day. Any advise would be appreciated. I will post a picture of her and the egg straight after it’s layed and what they look like after a day or so. I keep my eggs in the fridge. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Don’t know why it happens or what it is, but it’s not just your eggs. I’ve noticed this on older, light shelled eggs too. I think it happens more if they’re kept in the fridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chloe Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 Ah thank you, I’m assuming they’re still fine to eat and everything, I’ve just been really unsure as I can’t find anything at all online about it and don’t know too many keepers 😖 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Well you’ve come to the right place! To be honest if it looks OK and smells OK when you crack it I’d assume it is OK (unless of course your hens were on medication with an egg withdrawal period). Lovely photo of your chook by the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chloe Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 Thank you 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Ginger, my oldest (I think) occasionally has the same. I think it’s something like a thin shell due to old age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chloe Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 It’s really good to know I’m not the only one, she’s the oldest I’ve had so far and I have never seen this before, as it’s only just recently started to happen it got me slightly worried thank you for your reply x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 She's a beauty! Brahma have feathered legs though - could she be a Light Sussex or a cross? I think you're right that the egg shells get thinner (and eggs bigger) as the chickens get older so wouldn't worry too much, maybe use them up a bit earlier than you used to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 That's a sign of a thinner and more porous shell, what you see is the liquid inside the egg permeating out. You'll often get this in older hens as their shell gland becomes less efficient, although younger hens can sometimes produce poor quality shells. You might want to add a little extra calcium to their diet - grind up baked eggs shells into a powder and add a little, plus some cod liver oil to their pellets. Also make sure that you worm them regularly with Flubenvet, as a heavy worm load would leach the nutrients that are needed to make good quality eggs. Follow this regime and you are giving them the best chance of producing good eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 I'm sure I've even bought eggs that have looked like that before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
