Ghost egg?

Bishopalready · May 8, 2022

I have 4 JMF Jumbo Brown Quail, caged, as probably know, one of these ladies put out this odd colored egg. I call it a "Ghost Egg" because it's a dusty blue-gray. I have no idea which did, can't tell which is laying which patterns yet. This is the only one so far. They are 11 weeks old and lay daily for about a month, nothing appears amiss. We use them for the eggs only, not that friendly except when they want treats, skittish but one will venture near then the others, a sudden move and they're on the run. My questions are: Is the quail sick? Is there a dietary problem? Is this egg edible? Is this a normal occurrence periodically? Are these quail cross bred with a quail that lays blue eggs? Anyone else see or have this happen?

MeanCheek · May 8, 2022

Bishopalready said:
I have 4 JMF Jumbo Brown Quail (Golden Comets), caged, as probably know, one of these ladies put out this odd colored egg. I call it a "Ghost Egg" because it's a dusty blue-gray. I have no idea which did, can't tell which is laying which patterns yet. This is the only one so far. They are 11 weeks old and lay daily for about a month, nothing appears amiss. We use them for the eggs only, not that friendly except when they want treats, skittish but one will venture near then the others, a sudden move and they're on the run. My questions are: Is the quail sick? Is there a dietary problem? Is this egg edible? Is this a normal occurrence periodically? Are these quail cross bred with a quail that lays blue eggs? Anyone else see or have this happen?

One of my quail lays an egg that is similar to that, but not as "ghost" colored. I think it's fine? I've eaten one before.

Whiskybear · May 8, 2022

I get those pretty regularly. I’ve eaten a lot of them and haven’t died or started glowing or anything. Curious about the blue egg bloodline question. Following along to see if you get any answers to that.

Nabiki · May 8, 2022

It's just extra bloom. It happens sometimes.

Bishopalready · May 8, 2022

MeanCheek said:
One of my quail lays an egg that is similar to that, but not as "ghost" colored. I think it's fine? I've eaten one before.

Thank you, @Nabiki. Do you know the reason? We feed them crushed chicken eggs once a week. The eggs is normal except the color, not brittle. Haven't cracked it out as of yet. Guess I'm a little skittish after finding out about chicken "Lash Eggs" from one of the chicken posts.

Bishopalready · May 8, 2022

@Whiskybear Yes, I'm interest too. I didn't know so much cross breeding went on with quails to get certain colors, so a throw back could be a possibility. I wasn't interested in the genetics until this and don't know if Golden Comets is a accepted breed name or a local breeder name. I'm just fascinated by the patterns each quail lays. It's like ballistics on a gun. Now if I could match the eggs with the quail. And interestingly, 90% of the time my quails lay in the dirt/sand bath. When there is an egg outside the box, usually another quail has lain the the box, so it must have been occupied. Thank God I don't have to hunt in the poop for the eggs.

Bishopalready · May 8, 2022

I must make a correction to my original post: Golden Comets are the breed of my chickens, the quail are the JMF Jumbo Browns. Don't know if that clarifies or helps.

Bishopalready · May 8, 2022

Nabiki said:
It's just extra bloom. It happens sometimes.

Thank you. The quail eggs are nice and glossy. I was surprised the first time I saw them, as if someone had polished them. When we gift the eggs we have a note telling ppl the eggs are not washed. Wash before refrigerating or leave on counter unwashed. Someone will always say anyway, but these are washed. Nope. My quails usually go in the sand box so we can easily brush the sandy little poop off. But the few outside the box have a little more poo on them. Our paper shredder is getting a workout, mixed with the shavings saves a little money.

Nabiki · May 8, 2022

Bishopalready said:
Thank you, @Nabiki. Do you know the reason? We feed them crushed chicken eggs once a week. The eggs is normal except the color, not brittle. Haven't cracked it out as of yet. Guess I'm a little skittish after finding out about chicken "Lash Eggs" from one of the chicken posts.

I'm not sure what causes it, but it's just an extra layer or two of bloom. It rinses off very easily, but there's no harm in leaving it.

Bishopalready · May 15, 2022

Nabiki said:
I'm not sure what causes it, but it's just an extra layer or two of bloom. It rinses off very easily, but there's no harm in leaving it.

I usually leave the eggs on the counter unwashed until ready to use, then I wash them to cook. Washed and boiled then egg stayed the same. The dog had no complaints..

Ghost egg?

More options

Bishopalready

Chirping

Attachments

MeanCheek

Crowing

Whiskybear

Chirping

Nabiki

Quail Geek

Bishopalready

Chirping

Bishopalready

Chirping

Bishopalready

Chirping

Bishopalready

Chirping

Nabiki

Quail Geek

Bishopalready

Chirping

Similar threads

New posts New threads Active threads

Latest posts

Latest threads

Threads with more replies in the last 15 days