What to do if chickens lay small eggs?

A decrease in egg size is the primary cause of a chicken's body dysfunction and the development of serious illnesses. However, this can also be due to other characteristics of poultry. Chickens often lay small eggs in backyards, and only experts know how to deal with such situations. This article presents the main causes of these changes and solutions.

List of possible violations

There are a number of factors that can influence the deterioration of the laying hen's health situation:

1. Age. The size of chicken eggs depends directly on the bird's age. Hens begin laying at 22 weeks or a little later. If they are induced to lay early, the first eggs they lay will be small.
2. Breed. There are certain breeds of laying hens that are considered ornamental. They consistently lay small eggs, weighing no more than 45 grams. The White Sultanka and Cochin are considered ornamental breeds.
3. Foreign body. Most often, various substances, helminths, and feathers enter the oviduct. The body independently regulates the production of albumen and yolk, so when a foreign body is detected, only the yolk is produced, or vice versa. This results in small testicles. Most often, the foreign body passes out on its own after the first clutch.
4. Hormonal imbalance. This is a very rare disorder that results in a reduction in not only size but also quality. The most common symptom is the absence of a yolk.
5. Salpingitis. If an adult hen begins laying small eggs, something is wrong. Inflammation of the oviduct also leads to a decrease in quality and size.

Diseases appear due to the following factors:

• lack of vitamins D and E, with a high protein content;
• lack of sufficient light in the room;
• high calorie food;
• improper conditions of keeping, dirt in the cage where the bird is kept.

The question arises: what to do if hens lay very small eggs, and what treatment methods should be used? Below, we will discuss the fundamental methods for restoring the health of laying hens.

Read also:

• How to make an alpine slide with your own hands?

Solutions to the problem

If age is the cause, it's best to prepare the hen for future egg production. Veterinarians recommend using a potassium iodide solution. The recommended dose for each hen is 20 mg of potassium.

There's also a fairly common substitute: choline chloride. If the birds are kept outdoors all the time, you'll need to somehow influence the daylight hours. It's recommended to keep chickens awake for just nine hours.

Foreign substances or elements entering the oviduct usually resolve on their own. A poultry body can cope with this on its own. A one-time infection resolves quickly, but if small eggs continue to appear, it's best to consult a veterinarian.

It's impossible to reverse a hormonal imbalance on your own. Treatment is required to normalize the chicken's glandular function. Currently, such procedures are only performed by veterinarians.

If salpingitis is detected, prophylactic antibiotic treatment is administered. In this case, delay can negatively impact the animal's health and lead to its death.

It's recommended to include mineral supplements, vitamin complexes, and more greenery in the birds' feed. The room where they are kept should be kept clean and well-lit. Temperature control is also a key factor.

By following all the recommendations presented, you will be able to most effectively achieve the desired result in restoring the individual's health.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDnkl4heTUc