Some of my eggs smell bad while cooking...

[eggsforsale]

Why do some of my eggs stink when they are cooking? I can't eat them, it grosses me out. Coop is clean, eggs are collected daily, they are eating a store bought feed for layers, occasionally free range. No odors in my fridge to absorb.
I have 2 Rhode Island Reds and 6 Easter Eggers. They are approximately 7 months old. My family is complaining and I can't hardly give eggs away because of it. It's driving me crazy! I've been told it must be the feed. It is a feed that comes in pellets and contains some kind of calcium because I don't have to supplement with oyster shell. Before I figured that out I had offered them oyster shell also. Can they get too much Calcium? Also, some days it seems their poo smells especially bad. Help?!

 

[Mac in Wisco]

You could always try a different feed. What is on the tag? Any fish meal? What are they eating otherwise? Are they getting into a variety of weeds if they are out ranging?

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I agree with Mac. First thing I'd do is change feed brands and see if that made a difference.

It's possible the feed was badly mixed or one of the components used in it may have been bad.

.....Alan.

 

[Chris09]

What feed are you useing?

Chris

 

[GardeNerd]

If it is not the feed, are the eggs fresh? I pencil in on each egg the date it was laid so I always use the oldest eggs first. That way I don't end up with any really old eggs accidentally.

 

[LynneP]

Check the feed definitely, and avoid red cabbage, asparagus, kale and (sometimes) broccoli for treats...with the all the care you give the birds you should be getting wonderful eggs!

 

[Layo more Eggo]

Your chickens are getting too much corn in their feed ration, which is often the case in prepackaged chicken feed. Too much corn will produce a stinky sort of sulpher smell in the eggs. Try mixing other grains with your feed, and offering pelleted alfalfa when fresh greens are not available. Remember, Chickens are NOT vegetarians, their natural diet consists of LOTS of bugs, you can purchase worm casings and other such things to supplement this natural part of their diet.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Your chickens are getting too much corn in their feed ration, which is often the case in prepackaged chicken feed. Too much corn will produce a stinky sort of sulpher smell in the eggs. Try mixing other grains with your feed, and offering pelleted alfalfa when fresh greens are not available. Remember, Chickens are NOT vegetarians, their natural diet consists of LOTS of bugs, you can purchase worm casings and other such things to supplement this natural part of their diet.

I would love to see a citation on this one. I've never heard anyone else say that corn causes stinky eggs. Every feed I've ever used has corn as the #1 ingredient, and my eggs don't stink.

Certain feeds definitely will change the taste of the eggs. I'd try to change the feed brand and see what happens.

I second the fact that fish meal and some other high-omega supplements and certain weeds will make disgusting-smelling eggs.

 

[aggiemae]

One of our chickens was laying nasty tasting eggs for a couple of weeks last summer. Seriously, they tasted like dirt. This happened for weeks so I was cooking them and feeding them to the chickens. The after a few weeks I tried again and they tasted fine.

As for feed, I do notice a change in the taste of the eggs when we use feed that has lots of fish meal in it. It's not really objectionable but it is different.

 

[Chris09]

Your chickens are getting too much corn in their feed ration, which is often the case in prepackaged chicken feed. Too much corn will produce a stinky sort of sulpher smell in the eggs. Try mixing other grains with your feed, and offering pelleted alfalfa when fresh greens are not available. Remember, Chickens are NOT vegetarians, their natural diet consists of LOTS of bugs, you can purchase worm casings and other such things to supplement this natural part of their diet.

Quote:
Do you have any studies on this? If so please post the links because I would like to read them.



The only thing that was correct in your post was that chickens are not vegetarians.


Chris