Egg yolks have turned much lighter in color, any ideas why?

[poamomma]

I have to buy eggs because 3 Silkies obviously can't supply my family with eggs, but we never thought they would, they were bought for their looks and not their egg-laying prowess! I have since bought 3 red sex-link hens so that I can up egg production. I always used to notice that whenever I would get the occasional egg and crack it into the pan, the egg yolk would be a much deeper yellow, nearly orange, compared to the store bought eggs. I also thought they tasted better. Then, rather suddenly, I noticed the home-laid egg yolks went back to being pale, often paler than the store-bought eggs. I was of course perplexed. I immediately thought it must be diet related, but I haven't fed them any differently than before. Because my chickens were Silkies, I never fed them pellets, we got pellets one time and they seemed too big for my girls, so I put them back on crumbles and that has been their main source of food their entire lives. They also get bread crumbs and fresh grass in summer, hay in winter, but any time I have attempted to introduce a "new" food, they act like they are afraid of it and won't touch it! Except for boiled eggs, they love them, but since the cost of eggs has jumped so dramatically, they quit getting boiled eggs a couple of years ago. Believe it or not, they wouldn't even eat bugs until recently and I think its because they have learned that from the RSLs. So, I began to wonder if it's an age-related thing. My Silkie hens are about 6-7years old, not ancient for hens but not youngsters either, and I still manage to get 1 or 2 eggs a week or so out of them.
My second question is regarding my RSLs. Once they start laying, do I switch them to pellets? They are much bigger than my Silkies already, so I am pretty sure they could handle pellets. Also, I prefer 18%protein, but can usually only find 16%. Is that acceptable, or do they need the higher protein for egg-laying? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Yolk color is diet related, and free range birds will eat any worms, bugs, and plants available. Layer feed comes either in pellets or crumble, and is generally 16% protein. Feeds like Flock Raiser are 20% protein crumble, and are great for birds of all ages. Either way, have oyster shell free choice for them. I do hope that your sex-links aren't too rough on your little Silkies. Mary

 

[poamomma]

Thank you for your reply Mary. I figured it HAD to be diet-related, but since their diet has not changed, I couldn't figure out what else it could be. That's why I wondered if it could be age related. Unfortunately, I can't allow the chickens to free-range because of the dogs, it's just too much work to first, remember that the chickens are out, then gather them together and get them back in their run, and THEN let the dogs out. I have forgotten more than once and have had a few near-fatalities. No chickens have died yet, thank goodness, I would feel awful.

So far, the sex-links are okay with the Silkies, but I keep a close eye on them. I got the sex-links when they were only 9 weeks old, so they were still smaller than the Silkies. My Silkies are very docile, but they were already established, so the sex-links still get pushed around a little bit by the much smaller Silkies. I keep watching to make sure the balance of power does not swing the other way. So far, so good. Keeping fingers crossed.

 

[TalkALittle]

Their diet may not have changed, but as they age their ability to digest, convert, and utilize the nutrients in the feed has probably decreased.