Chicken Health = Healthy Eggs?

[TooCheep]

Interesting, mine don't have access to grass. How much does that matter to the "health" of the eggs?

Pretty much what @FrostRanger said. Much like humans where a healthier mother can provide better nutrition to her baby, a healthier chicken can put more nutrition into her yolks for any potential chicks. We get the benefit when we eat those eggs. One visual cue is that home grown eggs frequently have darker egg yolks than commercial ones.

When possible, chickens do benefit from free ranging. They have access to a wider variety of plants, insects, more sun, etc. I understand that not everyone has that option.

Most all backyard chicken owners at least have much better living conditions- far more space than factory farms which affects their stress levels, access to sunlight, ability to exercise and socialize. Also, if you provide a good quality feed and a limited (<10%) amount of healthy treats, then you know they will have good nutrition.

 

[TLynne1]

Pretty much what @FrostRanger said. Much like humans where a healthier mother can provide better nutrition to her baby, a healthier chicken can put more nutrition into her yolks for any potential chicks. We get the benefit when we eat those eggs. One visual cue is that home grown eggs frequently have darker egg yolks than commercial ones.

When possible, chickens do benefit from free ranging. They have access to a wider variety of plants, insects, more sun, etc. I understand that not everyone has that option.

Most all backyard chicken owners at least have much better living conditions- far more space than factory farms which affects their stress levels, access to sunlight, ability to exercise and socialize. Also, if you provide a good quality feed and a limited (<10%) amount of healthy treats, then you know they will have good nutrition.

I live in the city limits where I'm only allowed 4 and they have to be protected from predators 24/7. I do have the brooder cage I used inside. I can put them in it with no bottom, outside their coop for a few hours while I'm out there with them. They will have access to grass and bugs then (thinking out loud). I believe I'll do that this weekend!! Thank you

 

[JacinLarkwell]

One visual cue is that home grown eggs frequently have darker egg yolks than commercial ones.

You can also add things to the feed to make their yolks darker

 

[TLynne1]

You can also add things to the feed to make their yolks darker

I got another egg today. I have 2 with full wattles. Only one still squats and let's me pick her up and pat her. How do I know which one is laying? The other one used to squat and let me pat her (only 1 day before the 1st egg), now she runs.

 

[TooCheep]

Congrats on the eggs!

Chickens have individual personalities. Some will be more human friendly than others. You can give them attention, particularly when they are young to make them more friendly, but some will still not like the attention when grown.

As for identifying the egg layer, that can be hard. Color of egg can be an indication. Which ones are mature enough to lay is another. Watching and catching which one lays a particular egg is another.

 

[TLynne1]

Congrats on the eggs!

Chickens have individual personalities. Some will be more human friendly than others. You can give them attention, particularly when they are young to make them more friendly, but some will still not like the attention when grown.

As for identifying the egg layer, that can be hard. Color of egg can be an indication. Which ones are mature enough to lay is another. Watching and catching which one lays a particular egg is another.

The chicks are the same, 4 Buff hens. 2 are clearly ready - full wattles, squatting, 20 weeks. When I get home from work, the egg is there and she is about her business elswhere! I moved the camera so hopefully, I'll catch it soon! Thank you for the info