
Prevention: Follow the recommended vaccination program during rearing include periodic booster vaccinations. Respiratory diseases: Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis (IBV), laryngotracheitis (LT), and Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Use an approved shell coating, such as egg oil. Quickly refrigerate eggs at or below 45☏. Tainted shells with crystalline structures (content off-flavor) This is not a quality fault when assigning egg grades. Handle eggs gently and orient them correctly in the carton. Keep the hen house cool hold eggs in a cool place.įloating air cell (tremulous or moving air cell) High temperatures, usually associated with the season of the year Sell hens after 12 to 14 months of lay or molt the flock to improve shell structure.

Select a strain bred for good shell texture. There are strain differences in shell quality. Supplement diets with oyster shell or crushed calcium as a free-choice option for the hens.Įxcessive calcium in the feed (causing sandy shell texture)Įnsure that the diet formulation contains the correct amount of calcium according to the Nutrient Requirements of Poultry, 1994, 9th Edition, National Research Council. Provide increased calcium levels in the diet based on strain, outside temperatures, and feed intake. The exposure could come on multi-species farms where BAPN is used to treat older horses for muscle injuries do not feed to hens or allow access to it. Ensure predators do not have access to the hens, hen house, or paddock.Įxposure to chemicals such as BAPN (beta-Aminopropionitrile fumarate), which causes premature passage of the egg through the oviduct Replace single-cycle flocks after 75 weeks of age.Ĭonstant flock agitation or fear responseĬhoose a site that is isolated to minimize disturbances. Changes are dependent on current levels and regional needs.Įggs can be misshapen from young hens with an immature shell gland. Respiratory diseases: Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis (IBV), laryngotrachetis (LT), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), and egg drop syndromeįeed less salt and/or reduce other mineral salts in the diet. Use according to directions or veterinary prescription.Ĭontrol the temperature. Raise calcium level for increased shell color and improved shell thickness.ĭo not feed to allow hens access to grains treated with Arasan law requires treated seeds to be dyed. Have iron content checked in well water used for washing eggs keep below 1 ppm. Make sure that layer stock come from parent stock vaccinated against IBD (Gumburo).Ībnormal shell colors due to egg washing: white to brown Humidity can be difficult to lower in hen houses, but cuticle drying may be accelerated with increased ventilation.ĭisease – infectious bursal disease (Gumburo) Lower humidity in the egg-holding cooler below 80% RH. High humidity in the production house or coolerĪs a result, water is retained by protein in the spongy later of the shell. Mottling of shell (bright spots or moist appearance around pores, observed by candling)įailure of the egg cuticle on the shell to dry quickly after laying. Respiratory disease infectious bronchitis (IBV)įollow the recommended vaccination program during rearing include periodic booster vaccinations.Įxcessive calcium in the feed (causing brown shell eggs to be off-color)Įnsure that the diet formulation contains the correct amount of calcium according to the Nutrient Requirements of Poultry, 1994, 9th edition, National Research Council. Watch out for problems with density, nutrition, environment control/temperature, noxious gases. Minimize hen stress in the production system. Maintain gas lines and equipment in proper working order gas leaks are an explosion hazard as well.
MISSHAPEN EGGS IN CHICKEN FREE
As egg production methods become more varied-for example, changing from cage to free range-and as layer strains are selected for the environment and hens age, the number of defects in eggs is increasing. These factors will vary depending upon the housing environment, genetics, drugs, feed ingredients, or chemicals used in agriculture. Many factors can influence egg quality and appearance.
