Eggs smelling and tasting of chemicals

[Indiechick19]

im so sorry if this is in the wrong section. I've never joined a forum before and we have had our chickens (aColumbian Blacktail and an Amber / Silver - again sorry if that's not 100% correct eek)
We are all loving having them and they roam our garden during the day. They lay 1-4 eggs a day, but the eggs smell so strongly of chemicals and taste of them too to the point where they are now totally inedible. We do t use any fertiliser or weedkiller and have scoured the internet for ideas, coming across a link to a very comprehensive list of poisonous plants from this website which included bulbs and Virginia creeper (they especially seem to love this!) The area that they are in is also covered in play bark for the children which after researching, we have found is treated!

Our chickens are such happy little things, but now I'm so so scared we are some how doing them harm

Does antibody please have any suggestions as to what we should try first...get rid of all of the bulbs and Virginia creeper or do that and take all bark out at the same time (tonnes of it). So worried for them and we would so appreciate any advice or help at all that anyone can offer.

Again, we are so sorry if we are in the wrong section.

Thank you so much xxx

 

[Indiechick19]

Sorry I'm typing on a very smashed phone! That should say we don't use any weedkiller or fertiliser etc xxx

 

[centrarchid]

What are you feeding them?

 

[Hybridchucks]

Welcome!
yes the thread is in the correct place!
(I have ambers!)

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Ditto. What are you feeding them?

The only time I've noticed strong smell and taste in anyone's eggs (not my own) was when a friend was using a lot of fish meal. The eggs smelled and tasted awful (in my opinion).

Some weeds can give odd flavors and even color. (Penny Royal is known for giving a harmless green tinge).

I have fed my girls garlic to improve immune systems and noticed a distinct garlic smell and flavor in the eggs afterwards.

Not likely the bark...but even if it was, you could simply place another layer of heavy bark over it. It shouldn't be "bad" chemicals if it came off a children's playground. We've used that stuff before and never noticed smell or problems. (Obviously the best bark to use is clean, fresh, wood chips).

Lastly, how are you handling the eggs? Is it hot now? Are you leaving the eggs in the nest box too long? You should be gathering several times a day to prevent eggs laying in heat.

My thoughts. I'm interested in hearing what others have to say.
LofMc

 

[centrarchid]

Some oil seeds such as safflower or BOSS can give eggs an off-flavor. Their can also be a genetic component on the side of the chickens. And a genetic component on the side of the human consuming the eggs.

 

[Indiechick19]

What are you feeding them?

Hi there,

Garvo layer pellets which we were given when we bought them xxx

 

[Indiechick19]

Welcome!
yes the thread is in the correct place!
(I have ambers!)

Aw phew! So lovely and sooo friendly xxx

 

[Hybridchucks]

Aw phew! So lovely and sooo friendly xxx

 

[Indiechick19]

Ditto. What are you feeding them?

The only time I've noticed strong smell and taste in anyone's eggs (not my own) was when a friend was using a lot of fish meal. The eggs smelled and tasted awful (in my opinion).

Some weeds can give odd flavors and even color. (Penny Royal is known for giving a harmless green tinge).

I have fed my girls garlic to improve immune systems and noticed a distinct garlic smell and flavor in the eggs afterwards.

Not likely the bark...but even if it was, you could simply place another layer of heavy bark over it. It shouldn't be "bad" chemicals if it came off a children's playground. We've used that stuff before and never noticed smell or problems. (Obviously the best bark to use is clean, fresh, wood chips).

Lastly, how are you handling the eggs? Is it hot now? Are you leaving the eggs in the nest box too long? You should be gathering several times a day to prevent eggs laying in heat.

My thoughts. I'm interested in hearing what others have to say.
LofMc

Thanks so much for your detailed reply.

When we rang Durham Hens, they asked if the bark was treated. It was only when I have just done some research and found that they treat it with something to try and make it non flammable? We are possibly grasping at straws with that, but there is soooo much of it and they spend all day scratting in it and finding the worms etc.

We check three times a day and our daughters collect them. It was hot about a week ago, but has been raining for about a week.

The smell is getting stronger and stronger. People who smell them and have tasted them visibly wince. So worried xxx