EGG Pigmentation issue.

[Millsa]

Greetings everyone, recently we moved our hens into a fenced in wild land pasture while we grow a pasture of oats for them in their old run extension.. there are ferns, and wild honeysuckle and black berry bushes in the wild land pasture.. and they have a lot of bark/soil, which is full of grubs and worms… 3 of my pale pink egg layers, now are laying eggs with out pigmentation. They lay a white egg… the egg strength is good so they dont need calcium.. but wonder what could cause this.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Usually as the laying cycle progresses the egg color will get lighter with a lot of hens. When they take a break and start up again it will be darker. Hope that makes sense. I am not sure diet effects the external egg color but someone will correct me if I’m wrong.

 

[Mrs. K]

Egg colors really are not an issue, as in something you can change. They are just a fact. There will be some variance in eggs even day to day, but especially as the laying season progresses.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The pigment to color an eggshell is made from recycled red blood cells, not something they eat. The raw material for the pigment is always there as red blood cells are wearing out and being replaced all of the time. I don't think they need a catalyst for that process so I don't think diet has anything to do with it. I've been wrong before.

The pink color may be coming from the bloom though, not pigment added to the eggshell like brown or blue. This is purely a guess but they may now be eating something that is altering the color of the bloom.

 

[townchicks]

All of my easter Eggers color would fade as the season progressed, then the next spring, after taking their break, the pretty blue or green would be refreshed. No changes in diet. It's just a thing. Sounds like you have some lucky chickens, lots to forage.