8 Solid Ways You Can Prevent Abnormalities In Egg, And Improve Shell Egg Quality.
As a layer farmer that produces eggs, you are in business to make a profit, in addition to having farm-fresh healthy eggs and a good source of protein for the family.
For you to achieve these the eggs must be in good condition and should possess certain essential qualities such as:
- The egg size needs to be even in sizes
- Clean, smooth with attractive strong brown or white color depending on the breeds
- The shell must be adequate and intact with the necessary strength
- The eggs must be free from disease-causing microorganisms or bacteria
- Also, the eggs should be free as much as possible from stains or dents from chicken manure and droppings.
Having one or few abnormal egg defects occasionally is normal but having them consistently over a long period of time calls for concern and immediate attention and arrest of the situation.
If you really want to make any headway in generating profits and producing healthy eggs from your layer farm and also derive other benefits from the eggs.
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Then the following points would help you identify and correct abnormal, deformed, or bad eggs on your farm.
So that you would be able to make some substantial gain from your farming enterprise:
Light or week shell
Check the type of feed given to the birds, once a certain number of your birds start laying eggs in order to prevent abnormalities in egg.
It’s very important you switch from grower feed to a good layer feed with an adequate amount of calcium contents.
A low level of calcium might be responsible for weak shells or poor shell quality. Adequate provision of calcium in the feed might boost the egg quality and also improve the shell quality.
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Too many cracked eggs
if you are using a deep litter system always ensure that you pick your eggs very often and regularly.
And if you are using an automated system or cage system ensure that the farm’s egg collection system is functioning adequately.
If there is any malfunctioning it should be immediately corrected.
Dirt or Stains on Egg
Always ensure that the collections centers are very clean, and your nest boxes are always kept clean and dry. free from moisture and chicken manure, in others, words always keep your nest boxes neat and dry at all times.
Stains on the eggs shells
This can occur as a result of excessive straining from the outlets of the eggs (vagina) mostly it happens to young pullets that are coming into lay newly.
The best way to avoid this is to feed the birds adequately with the right kind of feed. The birds should not be either underfed or overfed to avoid straining the vagina.
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Loss of shell color is an indicator of abnormalities in egg
Severe viral infections i.e Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, egg drop syndrome, and avian influenza can destroy the oviduct resulting in poor shell color.
And other unpleasant problems that would lead to poor egg quality particularly loss in shell color.
Poor nutrition and deficiency in some vital vitamins and minerals may also result in poor shell color, and abnormalities in egg.
It is very important if you really want to produce good quality eggs that are attractive to your customer, then you have to provide high-quality feed with all the necessary nutrients needed by the bird.
The excessive use of Poultry Drugs(antibiotics) could result to abnormalities in egg
Certain drugs when administered to laying hens can affect egg quality and pigmentation.
It can also further affects the quantity of eggs produce. Drugs such as Sulphur drugs could be responsible for abnormalities in egg, and coccidiosis drugs, but drugs such as oxytetracycline, when administered with a vet doctor’s prescription, not indiscriminately used by the farmer, would of course increase egg quality and gives it a beautiful look.
Each time you see a pale-looking egg without that strong beautiful brown color then excessive use of certain drugs might be suspected or responsible.
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Calcium coated egg
On several occasions, I have noticed some eggs coated with calcium, you will also notice some chalk or faded white patches on the egg. A lot of factors are responsible for birds laying such types of eggs:
- Too much calcium in the feed
- A stressful condition during calcification
- Defective shell glands might also be responsible
One of the evident sign of abnormalities in egg is a Shell-less eggs
This is also a common condition occurring in most poultry farms where eggs are produced. The eggs produced have no shell but are with the usual yolk, albumen, and membrane.
The contents are only protected by the outer membrane only. This condition is common with pullets that are just coming into lay, also a number of factors might also be responsible for this condition i.e:
- Inadequate shell glands
- Lack of calcium and some vital vitamins such as B12, E, D, etc.
- Exposure to some toxins such as fungi, mold, and bacteria might affects the ability laying hen to lay properly.
- Presence of certain viral infections such as Newcastle disease. Infectious bronchitis, egg drop syndrome, etc.
- High temperatures, low or high humidity.
- Stressful conditions prompting the hen to lay egg prematurely
Conclusion
The key to successful egg production, and how to curb abnormalities in egg is the provision of a conducive laying environment for your laying hens.
Adhere strictly to best farming practices and constantly consult with experts in the field of egg production.
Once you notice any abnormal eggs take prompt action immediately and go after what must have prompted your hen to lay such eggs and arrest the condition immediately.
Provide them with adequate nutrition, mineral, and vitamins, and adequate vaccination.
