Wrinkled eggshells can be a sign of stress in chickens; see why this happens An egg with a wrinkled shell caught the attention of a rural producer in Vacaria (RS). When he found the food in the chicken coop, he was unsure about what could have caused the deformation. According to zootechnician Marconi Ítalo, from the Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), in Botucatu (SP), this type of change is usually related to some stress factor suffered by the chicken during the formation of the shell. ??Do you have any reporting suggestions? Send it to g1 Producing an egg takes, on average, 25 hours. The process begins with the release of the yolk from the ovary. It then travels through the oviduct, where the egg white is formed, until it reaches the uterus, where it remains for around 18 hours to form the calcium shell. It is precisely at this final stage that the problem can occur. "When there is a stress factor, such as heavy rain in sheds with metal roofs, for example, the chicken's uterus contracts. The shell ends up wrinkled and takes on the shape of these contractions", explains Marconi Ítalo. In addition to intense noise, other factors can also cause this type of change, such as: high temperatures, above 25 °C; deficiency of calcium and phosphorus in the diet; excess of birds in the same space; advanced age or health problems of the chicken. If deformed eggs start to appear frequently, the recommendation is to see a veterinarian to assess the health of the birds and identify the cause of the problem. READ ALSO: Producer harvests papaya weighing almost 8 kg in the interior of São Paulo; see video Smaller than a pony, mini-horses conquer Brazilians and are raised as pets even in backyards How to reduce stress in chickens Small changes in the environment can help keep birds calmer and encourage natural behaviors. A simple alternative is to hang old CDs in the chicken coop. The reflection of light attracts the attention of the chickens, who spend more time interacting with the object. Another recommendation is to install perches, as birds have a natural habit of resting in elevated places. "They like to perch because they can better observe the surrounding environment, which increases the feeling of security", explains the expert. It is also possible to use fruit nets, such as orange ones, stuffed with hay or dry grass. Chickens tend to peck at the material for a long time, which helps reduce stress and boredom. Is it safe to consume a shriveled egg? Yes. According to the expert, eggs with wrinkled shells can be consumed normally, as long as the shell is intact, without cracks, and the food has been stored properly. The problem is only aesthetic and, in general, does not compromise the internal quality of the egg. Moorish cat Reproduction/Globo Rural Researchers record the Moorish cat for the first time in an environmental reserve in Serra Gaúcha