Hens lay eggs without shells: why and how to fix it?
The shell of eggs is as familiar as the white color of milk. Without a shell, a chicken egg looks unnatural, not to mention the transportation problems that arise during this. The reasons for this phenomenon and how to prevent it will be discussed in the article.
Why do chickens lay eggs without shells?
There are several reasons for this unpleasant phenomenon:
- deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the diet of chickens;
- improper conditions of detention, insufficient time for laying hens in the open air;
- busting with the use of additives that stimulate the egg production of birds, which leads to depletion of the body;
- infectious diseases;
- genetic malfunctions;
- hormonal disorders.
Diet
Inadequate, unbalanced nutrition, its excess or deficiency, as well as a stale condition - all this can cause the appearance of shell-free eggs in chickens.
Wet mash
This type of feed is prepared by the owners of the chickens themselves. It usually consists of:
- boiled and mashed potatoes;
- chopped vegetables;
- wheat bran;
- various cereals;
- finely chopped greens;
- meal or flakes.
Dry food
It is a compound feed manufactured industrially. Its small fraction contributes to the active saturation of chickens in small portions. This is done to prevent overeating, which usually leads to a decrease in egg production and problems in the formation of eggshells. Important! The daily portion of dry food on average should not be higher than 130 g.
Mixed feed
When preparing mixed feed, one third of the feed is replaced by grain. In winter, the proportion of grain increases. In this case, do not forget about protein supplements to strengthen the body of the chicken and prevent problems with the formation of a full shell.
Additives
Since calcium is one of the most important macrocells that directly affects the formation of high-quality eggshells, it must be supplied to the chicken body in sufficient quantities. One of the simplest, cheapest and most reliable sources of calcium for chickens in a rural farmyard is the same egg shell. It is well dried, crushed and added to wet or dry food several times a week. But here you should not overdo it, since excess calcium is not much better than its deficiency and can lead to a deterioration in chicken appetite and a decrease in egg production.
Find out why there is blood in a chicken egg and what to do.
In addition to calcium, the body of chickens also requires other micro and macro elements, as well as vitamins, which in winter may be missed. Therefore, feed should be supplemented with cabbage, pumpkin and carrots. Many nutrients necessary for the formation of a full shell are contained in hay, which must be present in the chicken coop in the form of bunches suspended at a height of 40 cm from the floor.
Infectious diseases
Infectious diseases often have a negative effect on the formation of a quality egg shell.
Egg Drop Syndrome
Symptoms of this disease are manifested in:
- a sharp decrease in egg production;
- the irregular shape of the eggs and their discoloration;
- softening the shell;
- the total predominance of unfertilized eggs.
Infectious bronchitis
This disease of the respiratory system of birds is accompanied by:
- noisy breathing;
- permanently open beak;
- a sharp decrease in appetite;
- lethargy;
- craving for heat sources;
- purulent eye discharge.
Hormonal diseases
The formation and development of an egg is directly affected by the hormonal level in the bird's body. With prolonged stress, its failure occurs, leading eventually to the formation of eggs, devoid of shells.
Important! The exact cause of the changes in the bird's body can only be determined by a specialist.
Unacceptable conditions
Often the problems that arise in chickens with the production of shellless eggs are associated with the vicious approach of their owners to keeping hens. They are not given enough time to stay in the open air, which is why the chicken body is deprived of the opportunity to independently synthesize vitamin D, which is essential for the body to fully absorb calcium. At the same time, the immune system of the bird is reduced and its skeleton is greatly affected.
What to do with the problem at home
If infectious diseases are found in chickens, the bird is treated:
- antiviral agent "Anfluron", which is given orally or administered intramuscularly for a month in doses corresponding to the form of the disease;
- vaccine "Primer";
- “Iodinol”, also called blue iodine;
- vitamin C contained in green feed, hay and needles;
- vitamin D, which is formed in the chicken body under the influence of sunlight, and also received there in the winter with fish oil.
How to prevent a problem?
First of all, for this it is necessary to provide chickens with a full, balanced diet, eliminate all sources of stressful situations and optimize conditions. Poultry must have access to crushed shells, chalk or stove wood ash. Chickens should be vaccinated and live in sanitized chicken coops or enclosures, without any contact with geese and ducks, which often act as sources of infectious diseases. The bird should also be treated with anthelmintic agents, since parasitic worms can cause the appearance of shell-free eggs.
How to handle the premises
Disinfect the premises that contain chickens at least once every two months. To do this, the bird should be removed from the chicken coop, and the person performing the disinfection needs to wear a jumpsuit, a respirator and tight seals. Litter from all surfaces is easily removed using water with the addition of apple cider vinegar.
In the event of chicken disease, the chicken coop should be sanitized immediately with a solution of:
- iodine preparations;
- 6% lime with a chlorine content;
- 3% hot soda;
- Lugol's solution.
Video: Treatment of the house with iodine monochloride
Other preventative measures
In order for a chicken to lay an egg with an appropriate shell, it is necessary to observe not very burdensome, but extremely necessary rules:
- Timely and universal vaccination of all chickens should be carried out.
- Provide the bird with balanced, nutrient-rich feeds.
- Strictly adhere to sanitary standards for poultry.
- Immediately proceed to the treatment of diseased chickens or to their destruction in hopeless cases.
- Timely carry out anthelmintic treatment of the entire bird population.
- Equip the chicken room with ultraviolet lamps that can destroy most harmful viral strains.
- Protect chickens from rodents and predators.
- Once every two months, disinfect the chicken coop.