Dirt-flavored eggs

[Feathyr]

Howdy! Long time no see. Not sure if this is the correct forum for this topic; I will move it if necessary.

Recently (within the past 1 1/2 years) I've been increasingly dealing with dirt-flavored eggs. I've changed feed brands several times, cleaned nest boxes more frequently, wormed birds, collected eggs frequently, etc. These hens are four-five years old and from various sources so I doubt it's a genetic issue. They haven't been free-range for nearly a year.

I'm at my wits end. Usually the flavor isn't within the white; it's in the yolk itself. It's to the point I'm throwing out nearly every egg I cook. Curious if anyone else has experienced this issue.

 

[nuthatched]

Have you seen a doctor? At this point, it's either in your soil or it something to do with your tastebuds.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Do other people think the eggs taste like dirt? When I am pregnant eggs taste like fish but my family obviously disagrees.

 

[eikome]

I've had eggs that tasted or smelled "fishier" than average, but never like dirt, and never all of the hens at the same time, just one or two eggs here or there. I can almost always connect the off-flavor to something the hens had been eating (like extra high-protein treats or something.)

Could it be something in your water? Maybe it's high in some mineral that's giving the eggs an off flavor. You could try giving them water from a different source for a week to see if that changes anything.

Good luck!

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Howdy! Long time no see. Not sure if this is the correct forum for this topic; I will move it if necessary.

Recently (within the past 1 1/2 years) I've been increasingly dealing with dirt-flavored eggs. I've changed feed brands several times, cleaned nest boxes more frequently, wormed birds, collected eggs frequently, etc. These hens are four-five years old and from various sources so I doubt it's a genetic issue. They haven't been free-range for nearly a year.

I'm at my wits end. Usually the flavor isn't within the white; it's in the yolk itself. It's to the point I'm throwing out nearly every egg I cook. Curious if anyone else has experienced this issue.

Maybe cheat and buy a half dozen grocery store eggs - look for pasture raised or something similar to come close to your own flock's eggs. Cook them over easy or however you fry your eggs and see how the yolks taste. Maybe even cook one of each (home and store) at the same time and compare.

If the store eggs also have a dirt taste, you may have a chronic sinus infection or something similar that interferes with your sense of taste. Another possibility, if you have had Covid (just about everyone now has), you may have a long-term disturbance of taste (and/or smell). It wears off eventually if so, but it's incredibly frustrating while it lasts.

Anything else taste funny, or just no longer appetizing? Coffee, etc.