Why Are My Eggs so Pale?

[love4mychickens]

Hello,
I have 6 rhode Island Reds, 5 black sex links (one of which is a rooster) and 2 Amber links. Since the weather started to get warmer we have been getting all six eggs! ( the other 6 ladies aren't laying yet). But, recently I noticed the outside of the eggs have been a really, really light and pale color. Then when we cracked them open the yolk was a very, very light, yellow color. Why is this happening? Should I be feeding them something extra? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Cyprus]

What are you feeding your chickens currently? If you don't already, you should provide free choice oyster shell and a complete layer feed.
The color of the yolks depends on the hens' diet.

 

[love4mychickens]

Yes, I feed my big girls their layer feed. I have heard about feeding them oyster shells. I will definitely pick up some oyster shells for them. Do you think cracked corn would help?

 

[Cyprus]

Yes, I feed my big girls their layer feed. I have heard about feeding them oyster shells. I will definitely pick up some oyster shells for them. Do you think cracked corn would help?

Probably not. That is empty calories.

 

[rebrascora]

Oyster shell will not change the colour of the shells or the yolks, just make the shells harder. Please do not be tempted to mix the oyster shell in with their feed as it is harder for them to regulate how much they need and can prevent them from eating enough pellets or cause them to waste it by billing it out. It should be provided in a separate container or just tip a pile in the corner. Personally I just feed back dried broken egg shells.
Some food manufacturers add extract of marigold I believe to improve yolk colour. Did your pullets have grass in their run initially and now it is all gone. Greens like grass and spinach will help give the yolks a richer orange colour but chickens are very good at destroying grass. Some people throw lawn mowings into their run for the chickens to scratch through and eat to improve both their health and the colour of their yolks.
Shell colour naturally fades as the season progresses and is probably to do with using up trace nutrients/pigments that produce the darker colour a bit like a printer cartridge running out of ink after a lot of use. I don't think the same nutrients are responsible for yolk colour and shell pigment but open to someone correcting me on that. I would imagine it must be different nutrients for shells and yolks with blue and green egg laying birds, so probably different for brown too.
I would not feed corn. They love the stuff but it can make them fat/obese and that may lead to serious health issues like Fatty Liver Haemorrhagic Syndrome or prolapsing or some other reproductive problems, so not worth it in my opinion.

 

[dunnmom]

My hens lay brown eggs. I do notice that the color isn't always consistent, sometimes darker, sometimes lighter. It depends on the bloom, I think. I think sometimes their eggs get a better bloom coating than at other times for whatever reason.

Hot weather causes chickens to drink more, use up more nutrients, and can affect egg quality for sure. Depending on the weather where you are, this might be affecting your hens. I second the no corn, but extra greens idea for the yolk color.