The chicken lays eggs. It’s a thing that happens. And, like any other normal human being, you’re probably wondering what makes them different from regular eggs.
If you have chickens in your backyard or coop and are trying to figure out why they produce eggs of different colored eggs than normal eggs, there’s no need to panic!
This article will help you understand the chicken egg abnormalities so that it doesn’t happen again next time around.
Double yolked eggs
Double yolks are more common than you think. They can be found in the egg’s center or on the top and bottom. This is not necessarily bad for your chickens because it’s not always caused by poor nutrition or stress.
Double yolks may also be caused by hormones that aren’t balanced properly (such as those released during egg production). If this is the case, your chickens could have a hormonal imbalance and need treatment from a vet before laying again!
Thin shelled eggs
Thin-shelled eggs: Your chickens may lay thin-shelled eggs if they’re laying too soon or too late.
The hen’s body temperature is regulated by a feedback mechanism that allows it to respond quickly when necessary.
If the eggshells are thinned out too early, it could lead to an overheating situation where the hen can’t keep up with her daily body temperature needs.
This can result in losing fertility and health issues for your chicken flock (such as burns from being too hot). It also stresses them more because they don’t have enough moisture inside their shells yet!
If you’re noticing that your chickens are laying fewer than usual during winter months (or anytime), this could be one reason why—and it might be worth checking before purchasing new birds!
Shell-less eggs
Shell-less eggs are a common type of abnormal egg in chickens. They’re often called honeydew eggs because they look like the fruit of the plant that gives this name.
Honeydew eggs are more common in older hens and can occur when the hen has been laying for some time without rest between clutches (laying). The shell is made of calcium carbonate, which is needed for eggshell formation.
The shell is also made of other minerals, such as magnesium and phosphorus, which are needed for the hen to create and lay the egg. If these minerals aren’t present in adequate quantities, or if they’re not available to the hen at all, she can produce an abnormal egg.
Abnormal shell color
Eggshell color is determined by genetics, so there’s no way to tell what breed of chicken laid the egg. However, there are some things you can look for when inspecting your eggs to determine whether they were laid by a hen of a different color than normal.
The darker the shell is and/or more orangey-red it appears, the more likely it was laid by a Rhode Island Red chicken (a breed known for laying red eggs).
If you see white spots on your eggs or find broken shells or damaged yolks inside them, don’t worry!
This could mean nothing more than an unfortunate incident during hatching time; however, if you notice any other unusual behavior from your chickens such as squawking noises coming from their nest boxes and even constant scratching at window sill cracks in their house, then something may be wrong with them!
Abnormal shape
Eggs may be misshapen. This can happen if the chicken isn’t producing enough calcium and other nutrients in its diet or doesn’t eat enough food at once.
Eggs may be too big or small for your chicken to lay properly. If you see a large egg-laying next to a small one, this could mean that the bird is not eating enough food with each meal (broodiness).
Eggs may be oblong, oval, or round instead of perfectly round like most eggs would be if normal chickens laid them without any problems; this could also mean something wrong with your bird’s health!
Ruptures in the eggshell
A rupture in the eggshell is a hole or crack in the shell, which several things can cause. The most common cause of these cracks is from a high-temperature environment like an oven or deep fryer.
If you notice an egg that has been broken open with one side appearing lighter than its counterpart, it could mean that it has been exposed to too much heat and was cooked too long.
In addition to cooking temperatures exceeding recommended guidelines (which should never exceed 350 degrees Fahrenheit), humidity levels may also play a role in causing ruptures in your eggs’ shells.
Humidity levels above 90% are known to cause irregular breaks that allow moisture inside the egg itself due to its porous nature—so if you notice any odd changes happening with your chicken’s eggs over time (for example, one end being more greasy than another), try keeping things dryer around her nest for awhile!
Soft-shelled eggs
Soft-shelled eggs are not the same as shell-less eggs. The shell membrane of a soft-shelled egg has a thin coating of calcium deposited on it, giving the egg a paper-like texture. When a soft-shelled egg is touched, it caves.
Soft-shelled eggs are more commonly found in elderly chickens. Soft-shelled eggs can also be caused by a high phosphorus diet, moldy feed, salty water, or feed tainted with mycotoxins. Because of the low quality of the eggshell, a soft-shelled egg cannot be processed.
Egg Calcium Deposits
Excess calcium deposits with irregular shapes can occasionally be detected on the surface of an egg’s shell.
This can happen if the shell gland is damaged or there are disruptions in the calcification process during egg development, and deposits can be seen on eggs of any hue.
Calcium deposits on eggs can also be caused by consuming too much calcium and/or vitamin D. Excess calcium impacts eggshell quality based on the size of the calcium deposit.
Bloody eggs or meat spots
Bloody egg yolks can be caused by a ruptured blood vessel.
This kind of blood ring in the egg may occur due to a chicken’s natural tendency to eat too fast and not let the yolk fully set before eating it.
The spots are small, red-colored spots on the yolk of your chicken eggs. They usually appear after hatching and continue appearing throughout life until they eventually disappear on their own.
Blood rings in egg yolks
Blood rings in egg yolks are a sign of anemia. Anemia occurs when your chicken’s blood doesn’t have enough red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. There are many reasons why chickens may develop this condition, which include:
- Lack of food (malnourishment)
- Infection or illness (such as coccidiosis)
- A genetic defect
Jumbo Eggs
Jumbo eggs are much larger than other chicken eggs. The size of the egg is determined by breed, rooster, and age of the hen. Jumbo eggs can be as large as an extra-large chicken egg, which is about 2 inches wide and 3 inches long.
Jumbo size also varies depending on diet: for example, if you feed your hens a lot of protein (such as meat), they will lay larger eggs than those who eat less meat but still receive plenty of nutrients from their food source.
Dirty Eggs
Every egg producer knows that if eggs are not removed from nests promptly, they risk being soiled. However, if the flock has damp, pasty droppings, the eggs may be soiled with excrement.
Wet droppings can be caused by elements like wheat, barley, or rye, excessive amounts of indigestible substances in their diet, poor gut health, or salty water.
Ridged shell eggs
Ridges are the characteristic raised pattern on the shell of an egg. They may be caused by defects in the shell or by a problem with the bird’s reproductive system.
If you find ridged eggs, there are several things you can do:
- Place them in a separate container, so they don’t get mixed up with other eggs.
- Leave them where they are and wait for your next shipment—the owner of these eggs will probably return them later (or keep them). If they don’t return them, contact him/her directly and ask if they want to sell them locally instead of shipping them off elsewhere; this way, at least one person gets their money back!
Brown or White Speckled Eggs
Although other breeds produce these eggs, the speckled eggs in this article are unusual. Even though tiny calcium deposits also create these spots, abnormally speckled eggs have fewer speckles than those seen with excessive calcium deposits.
Before the development of the cuticle, the egg’s last coat, these deposits are placed. The shell gland pouch is where this procedure happens. If the shell gland is damaged or there are disturbances in the hen house while the eggs are being formed, speckled eggs may result.
These eggs can also result from a hen’s diet being too high in calcium. These eggs are still marketable, and the speckling has no detrimental effects on the egg’s quality.
Tiny or Fairy Eggs
Eggs without yolk and much smaller than normal. Possible causes of fairy eggs include new layers whose reproductive systems are still developing and may lay a fairy egg.
Wrinkled eggs shells
Stress is another possible cause of defective shell glands, eggs with ridges or uneven layers in the shell, or eggs with older layers.
Because it’s harder for the shell to enclose a fluid material as a hen age, the whites (or albumen) in her eggs naturally become thinner. As a result, the shell may develop lumps and ridges. A wrinkled egg surface can also be brought on by heat stress, poor nutrition, or a damaged shell gland.
Chickens may lay abnormal eggs for a variety of reasons.
Abnormal eggs are often a sign of nutritional deficiency or stress, but they can also be caused by disease.
Some chickens lay abnormal eggs simply because they’re genetically prone to doing so. Lastly, if your chicken is exposed to heat or cold temperatures outside its normal range (such as in winter), it may produce less-optimal eggs due to its body’s response to those conditions.
If you suspect something is wrong with your bird’s reproductive system and want to know what abnormalities are possible in chickens—or if you just want some tips on how best to care for them—read on!
Conclusion
It’s important to know your chicken’s normal egg-laying habits and that these abnormal eggs are not necessarily a sign of poor health.
It is also important to know how to identify them early so that they can be treated before they become a problem. If any of these signs appear on your hens’ eggs, take action immediately by checking for disease, egg drop syndrome, or infection at the source. This will prevent more serious problems from developing in the future!
Conclusion
It’s important to know your chicken’s normal egg-laying habits and that these abnormal eggs are not necessarily a sign of poor health.
It is also important to know how to identify them early so that they can be treated before they become a problem. If any of these signs appear on your hens’ eggs, take action immediately by checking for disease, egg drop syndrome, or infection at the source. This will prevent more serious problems from developing in the future!
