Barred Rock started laying white eggs

[cjpines]

I have an 8 month old Barred Rock hen. She's been laying brown and now started to white eggs.

Does a diet make a difference. I give them veggies, fruit, kale and spinach, scratch and some noodles.

Could a molt cause this? Our flock of 4 have slowed down laying.

 

[Kelsie2290]

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm047 is a nice article on factors affecting brown egg color... stress and disease seem to be the big two, though as the hen gets further along in the laying cycle the brown hue does normally lighten gradually if it hasn't been sudden..

 

[cjpines]

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm047 is a nice article on factors affecting brown egg color... stress and disease seem to be the big two, though as the hen gets further along in the laying cycle the brown hue does normally lighten gradually if it hasn't been sudden..

Thank you. But my one chicken has no stress or disease or anything that pertains to this article.

 

[aart]

Are you feeding a balanced chicken chow of some sort? Vitamins and minerals in these mixes can be vital.
What's their overall protein levels?

 

[cjpines]

Are you feeding a balanced chicken chow of some sort? Vitamins and minerals in these mixes can be vital.
What's their overall protein levels?

 

[sunflour]

Sounds that you have ruled out stresses and vitamin deficiencies. Are the eggs really white or even a little darker compared to pure white? I would be concerned if truly white. My BR had darker eggs at first, but as the eggs got larger, just light brown to a pink color. Larger eggs "dilute" the pigment.

I did see all 6 of my brown egg layers' eggs get very light once when I changed their feed. Went back to normal color when I switched back. Could it be a variance in the lot # of the feed and not all are as sensitive to the effect? Is the Barred Rock Hen smaller than average, getting her fair share of feed?

It is my understanding that greens, marigolds, etc. only effect the yolk color.

 

[cjpines]

Sounds that you have ruled out stresses and vitamin deficiencies. Are the eggs really white or even a little darker compared to pure white? I would be concerned if truly white. My BR had darker eggs at first, but as the eggs got larger, just light brown to a pink color. Larger eggs "dilute" the pigment.

I did see all 6 of my brown egg layers' eggs get very light once when I changed their feed. Went back to normal color when I switched back. Could it be a variance in the lot # of the feed and not all are as sensitive to the effect? Is the Barred Rock Hen smaller than average, getting her fair share of feed?

It is my understanding that greens, marigolds, etc. only effect the yolk color.

She is one of the larger hens and the one who eats the most. She aggressive when it comes to food and veggies, greens, fruit, etc. Don't know about the lot number, good question. Will check the lot number next time, but for now I have an unopen 50lb bag of layer to feed them.
Her eggs are not completely white, but a little hue of tan.

 

[sunflour]

She is one of the larger hens and the one who eats the most. She aggressive when it comes to food and veggies, greens, fruit, etc. Don't know about the lot number, good question. Will check the lot number next time, but for now I have an unopen 50lb bag of layer to feed them.
Her eggs are not completely white, but a little hue of tan.

Sounds like a great gal. I don't recall the resource, but when I searched for why my eggs were getting lighter, among reputable sources, if not ill or stressed would attribute it to the feed change or just that the pigment added to the shell can vary.

One more thought. When my 3 Barrs started laying, eggs were shiny and darker. With a few months of laying, eggs looked more matte like my BO's and a little lighter. If yours were shiny = poor bloom and are lighter and dull, maybe she's adding a better bloom.

I treat mine with cooked egg, green leafy things, and raisins once a day. I think the raisins give a little iron to help with color?

I read that egg shell pigment which is always added over white can be deeper in the shell or more superficial. And if more superficial can be wiped off. I know this happens if I wash my eggs. Also, some get lighter or darker in refrigeration.

 

[aart]

Quote:They have been on layer feed non GMO 16% protein, 3.1% fat 9.2% fiber, oyster shell, flax, omega;s A complete feed. Only one bird is laying white eggs, other 3 are not. They have been on this feed since laying at 22 wks. Do you think more greens would help? I've slacked off on greens due to the fact our garden isn't producing more yet and now have to buy in the store. I'd up the protein....not that that will change the color of the coating on the egg......you're diluting the 16% with all the other stuff.

I like to feed an 'all flock' 20% protein crumble to all ages and genders. Makes life much simpler to store and distribute one type of chow that everyone can eat and have calcium available at all times for the layers, oyster shell mixed with rinsed, dried, crushed chicken egg shells in a separate container.
The higher protein crumble offsets the 8% protein scratch grains and other kitchen/garden scraps I like to offer.

Egg color can vary, and brown eggs can fade as the egg cycle goes on....or you could have a hen that has a faulty spray booth.
If she's only been laying for a couple months, the lighter color you're seeing now may be her 'natural color.
Pullet eggs can be darker because of ratio of size to coating and tuning the spray booth.

 

[cjpines]

Sounds like a great gal. I don't recall the resource, but when I searched for why my eggs were getting lighter, among reputable sources, if not ill or stressed would attribute it to the feed change or just that the pigment added to the shell can vary.

One more thought. When my 3 Barrs started laying, eggs were shiny and darker. With a few months of laying, eggs looked more matte like my BO's and a little lighter. If yours were shiny = poor bloom and are lighter and dull, maybe she's adding a better bloom.

I treat mine with cooked egg, green leafy things, and raisins once a day. I think the raisins give a little iron to help with color?

I read that egg shell pigment which is always added over white can be deeper in the shell or more superficial. And if more superficial can be wiped off. I know this happens if I wash my eggs. Also, some get lighter or darker in refrigeration.

No, mine are never shinny. I do feed raisins. The only change in food that I did for a very short time, a week or so, was put them back on grower/raiser more protein thinking they were in molt. I put them back on layer thinking that may have been the cause.