

Excitable Hens – Hens that are excited may produce thin or poorly constructed shells.Infectious Bronchitis – This virus readily attacks the shell gland of unvaccinated birds.Deficiency is most visible in the winter months when the birds get less sunlight and make less vitamin D 3 on their own. Vitamin D 3 Deficiency – Hens need a commercial source of vitamin D 3 in the feed.High Temperature – Temperature over 32☌ stresses the hens and reduces shell strength.Early Production – Hens that begin egg production before you get them on a good layer diet can rapidly deplete their bone reserves of calcium.If you make your own feed, carefully weigh out the amount of mineral phosphorous. Excess Phosphorous – Too much phosphorous in the diet will decrease shell thickness.Poor Calcium Sources – Insoluble granite grit and egg shells are poor sources.When a layer diet is used as the sole source of calcium, restricted feed consumption due to crowding and other problems can also restrict calcium intake.

For birds in floor pens, a hanging feeder of limestone or oyster shell can be used as the calcium source.

If you buy old hens from a commercial farm, they are already well past their prime for shell quality. Old Hens – Shell strength declines steadily as hens get older.The most common causes of weak shells eggs in your flock are:
MISSHAPEN EGGS IN CHICKEN CRACKED
A less visible reason is the higher level of salmonella found in cracked compared to intact eggs – especially if they are improperly washed. The mess left behind by broken eggs is an obvious reason for you to care about the shell quality of the eggs laid by your hens. The taste and nutritional value of a chicken’s first eggs will be the same as those of eggs laid by an older chicken under the same conditions.Weak Shelled Eggs and Your Small Flock of Laying Hens In addition, a chicken’s diet and the quality of its living environment can also affect the appearance of its eggs.ĭespite their unusual appearance, a chicken’s first eggs are perfectly safe to eat and can be used in the same way as eggs from an older chicken. Some chicken breeds are more prone to producing eggs with thin or misshapen shells than others. It is also possible that a chicken’s first eggs may be oddly shaped or have thin shells due to genetics or environmental factors.

This is because the chicken’s reproductive system is still developing and may not be producing eggs with the same consistency and regularity as an older chicken.
MISSHAPEN EGGS IN CHICKEN HOW TO
Why Do a Chicken’s First Eggs Look Strange?Ī chicken’s first eggs may look strange because the chicken is still learning how to lay eggs.Ĭhickens typically begin laying eggs at around 5-6 months of age, and their first eggs may be small or misshapen. In general, there should be no significant difference in the taste of a chicken’s first eggs compared to eggs laid by an older chicken, as long as the chicken is being fed a balanced and nutritious diet and the eggs are handled and stored properly. Fresh eggs that are handled and stored properly will also have a better taste than eggs that are old or have been improperly stored. The taste of an egg is largely determined by the diet of the chicken that laid it, as well as factors such as the quality of the eggshell and the age of the egg.Ĭhickens that are fed a varied and nutritious diet will produce eggs that are rich in flavor and nutrients. Do They Taste Different Than Eggs from Mature Chickens?Ī chicken’s first eggs are no different in taste from eggs laid by an older chicken. This includes washing the eggs before use, storing them in the refrigerator, and using them within a few weeks of being laid.īy following these guidelines, you can ensure that your chicken’s first eggs are fresh and safe to eat. It is still important to handle and store all eggs, including a chicken’s first eggs, with care to ensure that they are safe to eat. However, these eggs are still perfectly safe to eat and can be used in the same way as eggs from an older chicken. Yes, a chicken’s first eggs are edible and are no different from eggs laid by an older chicken.Ĭhickens typically begin laying eggs at around 5-6 months of age, and their first eggs may be small or misshapen.
