Abnormalities of Eggs what are the causes in poultry?

There are different types of abnormal or unusual eggs that poultry raisers may come across. Some of these abnormalities include eggs with no shell, soft shells, thin egg shells, double yolks, no yolks, abnormal color pigmentation, eggs within eggs, lash eggs, and many more. Each abnormality has its own reasons and causes for forming.

In our case, we have one chicken named Kaber that consistently lays eggs with rough and thin egg shells. As for the egg shown in the picture, it was laid by another hen, and we cannot determine the specific abnormality of its shape.

(A) Oddly shaped egg (B) Normal egg

The main reasons for the formation of oddly shaped eggs, as well as soft and thin eggs, are stress and a lack of calcium in the hen's diet. When hens are under stress, the secretions from the shell gland cells become acidic, which can lead to cell damage or destruction, resulting in misshapen eggs that may not be fully formed.

During the egg formation process in the shell gland, which takes approximately 20-21 hours, calcium is secreted from the cells in the gland. This calcium is derived from the hen's diet and is absorbed from the bloodstream, a process that takes about 16 hours. On average, the hen deposits around 125 milligrams of calcium per hour during this time. Additionally, approximately 10 percent of the calcium used in the eggshell process comes from the hen's own bone, which can be mobilized when needed.

The eggshell is composed of calcite, which is a form of calcium carbonate. Therefore, it is crucial for hens to have an adequate intake of calcium and other essential minerals in their diet. Phosphorus, in particular, is necessary as it enables the hen to mobilize the calcium present in her bones.

Maintaining a balanced diet for hens is essential to ensure proper eggshell formation and overall health.

sources:

•https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/shell-gland

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/shell-gland

•https://thepoultrysite.com/articles/factors-influencing-shell-quality

•How an Eggshell Is Made T. G. Taylor Scientific American 222:88-95. March 1970 pp. 3