Yolks are breaking

[sideWing]

My friend has been feeding his flock on a feed mill mix. They offer calcium free choice so the shells are fine, but the yolks break when you put the egg in a pan. They seem very fragile. Sometimes we buy store eggs to make sunny side up eggs.

What is missing from the feed?

 

[Nupe]

When you say feed mill mix, are they just grains or are they ground and crumbled (or pelleted) with protein, vitamin, mineral supplements? Is that all they get to eat or do they free range?

 

[sideWing]

It is a chicken layer feed mix that is supposed to have everything it needs, except calcium. They suggest you use or blend in calcium. I'm wondering if it's missing something else though and if so, what.

 

[Nupe]

I would say lack of protein. Try feeding the chickens some cooked meat or eggs. Leftovers are fine as long as it's not too salty.

 

[sideWing]

I guess that could be it. The feed is 16%-18% protein, but maybe that is the issue.

 

[Nupe]

15-16% is about minimum and some of it needs to be animal protein. If they're also getting treats like scratch and/or veggie scraps, that could throw off the balance.

 

[Nupe]

Is there any aggressiveness in the flock? Or missing feathers?

 

[sideWing]

15-16% is about minimum and some of it needs to be animal protein. If they're also getting treats like scratch and/or veggie scraps, that could throw off the balance.

I wondered about that too. They free range a LOT.

Is there any aggressiveness in the flock? Or missing feathers?

I don't think so.

 

[Nupe]

With free ranging, you would think they'd find plenty of bugs. Hows the bug population?

You could try buying a bag of gamebird feed just to see. Its between 26 and 30% protein depending on what kind you get.

 

[sideWing]

They are not my chickens so I can't change their feed. I do want to use the same feed if it's not the feed causing the problem or if I can add something and make it work. It's all natural and as GMO free as possible, but I also want my pullets eggs to be high quality. My RSL are just starting to lay now so I'm trying to find out if it is the feed my friends are using or something else. There are probably not enough bugs to meet 16%, but I'm not sure on that one honestly.