Egg Shell Colour

3 Little Ladies · **Joined:** Fri Jun 28, 2013 10:46 pm **Posts:** 21

Hi all,
My apologies if this is a really basic question that has been asked 100 times before -

What is the deal with the different colours on this egg shell? Is is anything to be worried about or just natural shell colour variation? I have wormed recently wondering if this is the cause?

Many thank in advance

Mands · **Posted:** Wed Jul 03, 2013 2:49 pm

Hay, 3LLs,

One of my ex-battery hens laid an egg that looked just like that yesterday. Slightly rough with white patches. The egg itself was fine - I wormed them two weeks ago so it's not that.

Buh? Seasonal variation?

Mands

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

Just the pigmentation of the egg shell.

Given that it is an ex battery hen, she is probably worn out and needs a boost and supplement to her diet.

A tin of .69c sardines, fish based cat food or fish based cat biscuits can hep her along and improve her condition and access to shell grit and maybe some beef steak or cheese or even some mashed up hard boiled egg.

3 Little Ladies · **Joined:** Fri Jun 28, 2013 10:46 pm **Posts:** 21

Thanks PP and Mands much appreciated

Chicka-Dee · **Joined:** Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:12 am **Posts:** 1194

Hi 3LL

My Isa's lay eggs like this every so often. I think it's just their little bodies trying to do what they do so well, but sometimes their littles bodies let them down

I don't think it is anything they are lacking dietary wise either as I feed my girls all the goodies under the sun (yoghurt, fresh fruit & veggies, shell grit, eggs, egg shells, the occasional bit of bread, sardines and their usual mash) plus they get their usual time for foraging & bug catching, but they still lay those rough eggs.

I also don't think it has anything to do with them being ex-battery hens as i got my girls at POL, I just think because they are such big egg producers that their bodies give up a little. And then eventually altogether. :cry:

Hope all is still good with your girl though

Cheers
Chicka-Dee

kittyhawk · **Joined:** Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:07 pm **Posts:** 1

I have 5 ex farm cage hens all the brown isa and all lay different coloured eggs from very light brown to dark brown and the farm said that was normal

3 Little Ladies · **Joined:** Fri Jun 28, 2013 10:46 pm **Posts:** 21

Thanks everyone! I haven't had another egg like that since and I am thinking that it is just a blip in the system that happens every once in a while. All the ladies seem to be happy thanks for your concern - Chicka Dee and like yours mine get all sorts of great goodies to eat. I will keep the dietary boost in mind though (sardines, cat biscuits) as per Petite Poulet's suggestions - although I am a bit scared I will attract the cat from next door! (am already battling unwanted guests - brush turkeys!)

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