Fragile yolks

[Bal]

Hi can any one help with some advise please. My bantams have started laying again. At first their eggs were fine. But just lately the eggs have very fragile yolks that are a bit discoloured. What should I do about it. Thanks

[muddled]

what are they eating?

[Bal]

They are completely free range and are fed on corn

[Bigmallly]

Don't layers pellets have a little more in them than just corn, like omega 3 oil and calcium?

[lolie]

How old are your chickens?

The fragile yolk problem tends to be related to one or all of the following : 1) age of eggs, 2) diet, and 3) age of chickens.

Apart from the corn, what are your chickens actually eating? It's possible that whatever they can find in the area where they free range is insufficient for them to produce healthy eggs.

If you're not using pellets, what is their protein source (roughly 20% of their diet needs to be protein)? What grit do they have available? Are you feeding them any mineral supplements at all?

[kathyd]

What were they like before Bal? Did you have any problems last year? Has anything changed since then?

[Scarlet]

Corn should be fed as a treat usually late evening, it will keep them warm at night, encourages their scratching behaviour but as the other have said doesn't give the protein, minerals , vitamins that they require for laying eggs. A good layers feed usually has around 16% protein, feed this ad lib all through the day. There isn't much to free range on during the winter although come Summer they will probably eat less feed as more insects and grubs are around.

[Bal]

The only thing that has changed is the demise of Bertie as chronicled in an earlier thread. ( I had 2 cockerels and they really started to fight) the feed has crushed corn peas grit and pellets in it. I was told it was a complete feed with all supplements added. The also get some seaweed, and garlic vinegar in their water. They did have an attack of scaly leg mite a while ago but that is all better now. I treated them with an organic treatment that said the eggs were still usable. But they hadn't started laying again yet then

The name of the feed is chicken corn. Sorry I misled you

[Scarlet]

I would never feed my chickens with feed that has corn within it. They will just pick out the best bits, what brand of feed is it? Personally I'd go and get a decent bag of layers feed and a separate bag of corn, a handful of corn late evening is sufficient.

[muddled]

You haven't mentioned oyster shell Bal, is there any of that in the feed?
Oyster shell is required for, well, shell production primarily but I'm wondering if the membrane around the yolk is made of the same stuff?

I give my girls their own shells back as well.
I keep a tray in the bottom of my oven and every time I use eggs, I bung the shells in the tray. When I cook, the shells get dry and brittle and each week I empty the tray into a pestle and mortar and crush to sand consistency (takes maybe three minutes). This then gets added, a couple of teaspoons a day, to their feed. I have no idea if it will help your yolks but its free, easy and worth a try.

Also, in spring when I feel they are gearing up for egg production while still expending energy trying to stay warm I treat my girls to some well rinsed tuna. They certainly appreciate it and I feel it bumps up their protein and an oils ready for full on egg production.

If your chicken aren't old I think diet is probably the reason. I guess its just a case of tweaking til it works.

[Scarlet]

The name of the feed is chicken corn. Sorry I misled you

What brand? I've tried searching and nothing is showing online. Mixed corn bags are usually wheat/maize in a 5/1 mix. You need a decent layers pellet feed. I'd just buy a bag and see if it makes a difference.

[Bal]

I'll get some layers pellets tomorrow. Thanks guys

[muddled]

get oyster shell while you're there