missing egg taste and aroma

[aart]

they (about dozen "white" chickens - leghorns?) were penned in a maybe 5000 sq.ft. apple orchard overran by stinging nettles. They were fed old bread and cheap grains (millet I think) in small quantities. They were digging a lot of dirt searching for worms. The eggs were amazingly tasty, especially raw drunk from the shell - there was no internet at that time to tell us it could be dangerous. That was ~35 y ago.

'Tis the feed that's the difference.
I'd bet money on it(especially because there's no way to prove it-haha!!).

Maybe even the birds themselves.
A lot has changed in 35 years as far as hybridization.

Do you know if they ate the nettles?
Did the eggs taste them same all year around?
Were there other livestock around that they may have gleaned feed from?

 

[CanadaEh]

Do you know if they ate the nettles?

can't tell for sure but they probably did giving how little they were fed and there was not much else growing. They were also given some dry stinging nettle in the winter.

Did the eggs taste them same all year around?

don't know - I have only lived there in the summers

Were there other livestock around that they may have gleaned feed from?

only a dog (which was hungry enough not to share her food with chickens)

 

[imnukensc]

First thing I would do is put them on a layer feed and not a meat grower feed. Might make a difference, might not.

 

[Melky]

Here is an interesting article on benefits of nettle in an orchard. Mind you I am in an 8 hour layover in Newark to Paris:
https://www.vigopresses.co.uk/Addit...ated-guides/Stinging-Nettles-and-Your-Orchard

Point being protective of the garden via decoy and surprising antioxidant benefits in the leaves. Bug attractant so good proteins. Not saying grow this as forage but think along providing antioxidants and good protein sources naturally duplicating the environment but increase the quality. Combined with quality feed a plus. I might ask if you’ve tried fermented feed to increase protein, probiotics, and vitamin sources? Providing better nutrition overall leads to better quality egg production.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

While your nose and memory are likely older now, my guess is the feed.

Meat bird feed is not the best for layers, even with oyster shell available. You might consider some of the layer feeds with probiotics, prebiotics, marigold (great color) and other herbal additives.

You can also add some nettle and garlic, yes garlic. Just a touch for them to eat. it is very healthy and does influence the richness of the eggs. Black oil sunflower seeds are also a good addition.

My guess it was the nettle and probably some flavorings in the breads....and of course great foraging ability for bugs.

LofMc

 

[Melky]

Here are some thoughts on antioxidants:
https://countrysidenetwork.com/dail...hat-to-feed-chickens-to-combat-free-radicals/

 

[ChickenCanoe]

When I was young, eggs were eggs and I didn't pay much attention.
When I restarted raising chickens as an adult, I diddn't really sense much of a difference until the first time we had a dearth of eggs from molt. Going back to store bought eggs was a real disappointment.
I do whatever it takes to make sure we never run out of our eggs again.

 

[Melky]

I recently compared my own egg with cage free eggs recently bought. Store bought egg yellow and when cooked green outer layer not appetizing. Mine orange yellow yolk with beautiful whites and when cooked soft delectable delicate egg with no green outer layer. The perfectly cooked and flavored egg. This year I found myself growing edibles rich in proteins and vitamins with added color for the egg organically for my chickens to have available nutritious forage sources that lend itself to egg quality. I was not disappointed with the results. Only when my eggs are gone and sadly rely on the commercial market am I disappointed. You can add these things in your chickens diet in moderation inexpensively by growing at home.

 

[Aceoky]

Meat bird feed is not the best for layers, even with oyster shell available.
LofMc

Exactly what science are you basing this opinion on?

Laying feeds with average 14-16% protein(meant as a MIN for small bodied layers e.g. leghorns etc.) are not optimum for our larger breeds (especially dual purpose heritage birds) where 21% or so meat bird with real animal protein seems to be the best (even some would argue compromise) for a mixed age mixed bird flock.

 

[Melky]

Where is the evidence that the higher protein is still needed for larger or heritage breeds in the form of meatbird food with animal proteins. I am in agreement that meatbird feed and higher proteins are not necessarily needed combined with high protein or high fat snacks result in fatty liver disease in layers. We have seen this self admittedly by owners and in research. I also would not go below 16% protein. Once birds are to breed weight this higher protein is unneeded and can be damaging to the bird unless need temporarily to get through a molt. There is a better fitting molt feed as well not meant for all year use.