Egg Drop Syndrome?

KJ Theodore is one of our favorite online poultry authors. In the following article, she discusses one of the problems you might encounter when raising chickens for eggs.

If you have a serious problem with thin-shelled or shell-less eggs, or a marked reduction in egg production, then you could be dealing with EGG DROP SYNDROME. I would not worry about the occasional thin-shelled or shell-less egg that comes at either the beginning or the end of the production season, nor the occasional less-than-perfect egg that is produced by a young hen when she comes into �first egg� (sexual maturity). Egg Drop Syndrome (EDS 76), should be considered though when you have a chronic problem in your flock in terms of egg quality or quantity � especially at the height of production.

EDS 76 is caused by a duck adenovirus and is typically spread vertically, although the incidence of lateral spread does exist. The virus affects the pouch shell gland, which is responsible for producing the eggshell.

EDS 76 is not typically a big problem with domestic ducks or geese, which are natural hosts, but when affected through drinking water contaminated by feces, chickens can experience a profound affect on their egg production. Although the virus doesn�t actually spread through the feces, what happens is that there could be exudates from the oviduct, which finds its way into the feces.

There are several things you can look for in the eggs that your hens produce to determine if you�re dealing with an EDS 76 problem in your flock.

A loss of pigment in an otherwise brown or dark-shelled egg is one. Thinning at the pole of the egg is another. This is when the egg appears normal except for an appearance of thinning or translucence at the large end of the egg. When pressure is applied, the shell will break at this point first. Eggs that are thin-shelled and fragile overall is also a sign. Sometimes these eggs will feel like sandpaper to the touch. The most noticeable signs though are in the soft-shelled, or shell-less eggs. Sometimes these are hard to detect because the hens typically eat these before you see them. Look for the shriveled membranes in their litter � they�ll leave those. Otherwise, check early in the morning before the hens have a chance to eat the shell-less eggs.

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