DISEASES OP ORGANS OP REPRODUCTION. 63 



EGGS WITHOUT SHELLS, OR WITH SOFT SHELLS. 



As Stated in the article on Physiology of the Egg 

 Organs, the shall is formed in the uterine or dilated 

 lower portion of the oviduct. Any irritation, or inter- 

 ference with the functions, of this part may cause it 

 to cease secreting shell-forming material; hens being 

 very fat is a common cause. Soft shells may, also, be 

 the result of not providing the hens with sufficient 

 lime or oyster shells. 



BLOOD WITHIN EGGS. 



Blood spots are occasionally found in eggs. This is 

 the result of a slight hemorrhage from a small rup- 

 tured blood vessel in the oviduct or ovary. If the spot 

 is on the yolk it would indicate that the hemorrhage 

 occurred in the oviduct; if it is on the white the hem- 

 orrhage occurred farther down the duct. The condition 

 indicates great activity of the egg organs, which may 

 be the result of over feeding or of feeding stimulants; 

 therefore, light food should be fed for a while, and 

 meat and stimulants with-held. 



INCUBATION OF THE EGG IN THE HEN. 



Occasionally eggs remain in the oviduct, possibly as 

 the result of egg-bound, long enough to hatch. 



WORMS OR PARASITES IN EGGS. 



Worms or parasites, such as intestinal worms, are 

 occasionally found within eggs. They are supposed to 

 pass from the bowels into the cloaca and then find 

 their way into the oviduct and become incased in the 



egg. 



