Question about the Thick Albumen ...

[Chicken Tacos]

Hello, so I have a question. My hens are laying well and I have tried to feed them organic feed as much as possible in addition to forage. I also give meal worm treats & scratch. Also, some electrolytes over the winter. I find that the Thick Albumen is really thick compared to an industrial farmed egg. I'm wondering if it's normal given the extra TLC my girls get vs. industrial farming, or are they missing something? They taste wonderful, it just looks super creepy when whisked and the whole thing slips off the fork back into the bowl as a single piece.

Thanks!

CT

 

[aart]

They taste wonderful, it just looks super creepy when whisked and the whole thing slips off the fork back into the bowl as a single piece.

All your eggs are like this?
How old are your birds?
I know some of mine have 'tougher' and 'thicker' whites than others and can be quite hard to whisk up.

Listing the exact feed nutrients, or a link, for your feed and scratch might help.
Along with how much mealworm you are giving to how many birds how often.

 

[Chicken Tacos]

All your eggs are like this?
How old are your birds?
I know some of mine have 'tougher' and 'thicker' whites than others and can be quite hard to whisk up.

Listing the exact feed nutrients, or a link, for your feed and scratch might help.
Along with how much mealworm you are giving to how many birds how often.

Hi aart, generally yes, all seem a bit 'tougher & thicker' as you describe. My birds (5 Red Sex Link) are all just about to turn 1 year in May. Right now I'm giving them Rolling Acres Layer feed, I wasn't able to source the regular organic stuff I had been using due to covid supply issues. The scratch is by the same manufacturer. (Rolling Acres) The meal worms I give periodically but only a hand full or so at a time between the 5 ladies.

 

[Chicken Tacos]

I guess what I'm mostly wondering, is it normal for the average BYC to produce noticably different eggs than big farming operations? Initially, the shells were much harder as well, but have normalized with less calcium now in their diet. lol Oops.

 

[aart]

I guess what I'm mostly wondering, is it normal for the average BYC to produce noticably different eggs than big farming operations?

Yes.

 

[Chicken Tacos]

Thanks!