Altering eggs

[Ponte]

My hens starting laying eggs last week and I have noticed that the taste of my pullet’s egg is much milder than commercial eggs. I am assuming it’s due to the fact my chickens are free ranging and eat leaves, grass, etc., which brings to question what can I feed my chickens to alter the taste and or color of eggs ? ie mint leaves, pomegranates, bay leaves, ....

 

[ValerieJ]

My hens starting laying eggs last week and I have noticed that the taste of my pullet’s egg is much milder than commercial eggs. I am assuming it’s due to the fact my chickens are free ranging and eat leaves, grass, etc., which brings to question what can I feed my chickens to alter the taste and or color of eggs ? ie mint leaves, pomegranates, bay leaves, ....

A good feed formulated for chickens. They are most likely not getting the nutrients they need right now, and that means your eggs will be inferior too. I would recommend a Flock Raiser or All Flock. Are you giving them oyster shell? They need that too.

Congrats on getting eggs!!!

 

[Ponte]

My post was not as complete as it should have been.
I feed them layers feed but they are free ranging so a large part of the diet is grass, leaves, bugs, etc.

 

[ValerieJ]

My post was not as complete as it should have been.
I feed them layers feed but they are free ranging so a large part of the diet is grass, leaves, bugs, etc.

Hmmm...then I wonder why. My eggs are so much better than store bought. Hope someone else comes in with some suggestions.

 

[so lucky]

You know, my former batch of chickens laid the most delicious eggs, orangey-yellow yolks that were larger than usual store egg yolks. These current chickens are not laying particularly flavorful or golden eggs yet. I do remember that I had seen on the bag of Purina feed one of the ingredients was marigold, to enhance color. I am feeding a different kind of feed now. Hmmm. Now I need to think.

 

[Ponte]

Hmmm...then I wonder why. My eggs are so much better than store bought. Hope someone else comes in with some suggestions.

My pullet eggs taste great, the word mild was not use as a Derogative term.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

I give them an Egg maker supplement which contains omega-3 and helps give them nice yolks

 

[Ponte]

My mother grew up on a farm and has said that when a certain bush was in bloom the chickens eggs yolk were a bright orange and delicious. Unfortunately she does not remember what type of Bush it was.

 

[333113]

My hens starting laying eggs last week and I have noticed that the taste of my pullet’s egg is much milder than commercial eggs. I am assuming it’s due to the fact my chickens are free ranging and eat leaves, grass, etc., which brings to question what can I feed my chickens to alter the taste and or color of eggs ? ie mint leaves, pomegranates, bay leaves, ....

This might not be exactly what you are looking for, but here is my two cents on changing the taste and color of eggs by what you feed the chickens.

First, I agree that marigold petals will make egg yolks more yellow. So will corn. BTW, when yellow--legged breeds are judged at shows, the guidance from the American Poultry Association Standards book is that laying hens should not be penalized for having paler legs since the yellow is sort of used up by the hen in making eggs. It's a sign she is a good layer.

Second, there is a great book written for the rationing years in England called, "Keeping Poultry and Rabbits on Scraps" which states that acorn kernels are an acceptable food for chickens, but warns that it can make the eggs look green, despite being safe to eat. I have never tried this myself, but I sometimes wonder if this is the inspiration for the Dr. Seuss "Green Eggs and Ham" book.

Third, I remember my mom experimenting in the sixties and seventies with feeding chickens various fresh and dried herbs to change or enhance the flavor of the meat and eggs. I recall her many discussions with my grandmother on this point, and I think they never found any herb to feed that made a significant difference in egg or meat flavor. However, I also remember one of my childhood chores was to root out the wild garlic in the goats' pasture, because you sure can taste that in the milk!

 

[Ponte]

Will have to try acorns and see if it works.
Just found this for those interested.