Pale yellow yolks

[bordergurl]

3 of the 4 eggs I cracked for breakfast this morning had pale yellow yolks. They have always been bright orange before. This week I did give them a few handfuls of bird seed to keep them entertained in the coop. Also, the shells themselves have been slightly misshaped. Any ideas?

Thank you!

 

[Kansaseq]

Try giving your girls some dark, leafy greens to darken up the yolks.Some people buy alfalfa pellets from the feedstore, and either grind them up in the blender, or soak them in warm water for 30 min prior to feeding. This will also provide them with the nutrients needed to make the yolks a nice, dark orange.
Also, do you offer free choice oyster shell? That will provide them with enough calcium to produce healthy egg shells. But sometimes they do come out with some strange/odd shells. There is a website that has a list of egg shell oddities and the things that cause them. You might try googling eggshell deformities.

Edited to add website http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/1/egg-quality-handbook/21/pimples
The list on the left has different shell deformities. Click on the one you think it is, and it will offer a description and cause. Good luck!

 

[bordergurl]

Yes they do have oyster shell offered freely each day. They've been turning up their beaks at green stuff lately! I will check out alfalfa pellets and the website, thank you!

 

[TigerLilly]

Even grass clippings will help in the 'greens' department...unless you're somewhere covered in snow!

 

[bordergurl]

Yes we are snow bound for the last few weeks, so they are not out free ranging! Spring is just around the corner