Mouldy Tasting Eggs

[TeeHoward]

This is my first eight months with a backyard flock of chickens. I have four hens, different breeds chosen for egg laying. They have all now started laying eggs. Recently we've notice a mouldy (some call it musty, others metallic) taste in the eggs.
We feed layer crumble, they free range the yard and garden, they get scraps from the kitchen and meal work treats. I've worked through everything everyone has started about feed and they are not getting any of the things that others have said cause bad tastes in eggs.

I just found out that there is research out there that says that some component in wood shavings can make the eggs taste mouldy... I've been using pine shavings on the floor of their coop and then spreading it in the garden (where they get to free range) upon removing it from the coop.

I just recently introduced Flock Fresh bedding (an all natural mix of Barley, Wheat and Alfalfa straw), but over the top of the pine shavings.

I'm going to clean all the pine shavings out and replace it with the Flock Fresh and see if that helps with the taste of my eggs.

I hope this helps others who are having this problem.

 

[SulkyBantam]

Good idea. Sounds like they are eating the pine.

 

[Fallenone05]

I have pine bedding in mine to 'catch' the smell of their poop and I've never noticed a moldy taste in my eggs. This is interesting.

 

[Hei 20]

This is my first eight months with a backyard flock of chickens. I have four hens, different breeds chosen for egg laying. They have all now started laying eggs. Recently we've notice a mouldy (some call it musty, others metallic) taste in the eggs.
We feed layer crumble, they free range the yard and garden, they get scraps from the kitchen and meal work treats. I've worked through everything everyone has started about feed and they are not getting any of the things that others have said cause bad tastes in eggs.

I just found out that there is research out there that says that some component in wood shavings can make the eggs taste mouldy... I've been using pine shavings on the floor of their coop and then spreading it in the garden (where they get to free range) upon removing it from the coop.

I just recently introduced Flock Fresh bedding (an all natural mix of Barley, Wheat and Alfalfa straw), but over the top of the pine shavings.

I'm going to clean all the pine shavings out and replace it with the Flock Fresh and see if that helps with the taste of my eggs.

I hope this helps others who are having this problem.

 

[aart]

I have pine bedding in mine to 'catch' the smell of their poop and I've never noticed a moldy taste in my eggs.

As do hundreds of others.

I'm going to clean all the pine shavings out and replace it with the Flock Fresh and see if that helps with the taste of my eggs.

I seriously doubt this is the issue, but let us know how it works out.
Is it all the eggs or just ones from certain birds?

I have four hens, different breeds chosen for egg laying. They have all now started laying eggs. Recently we've notice a mouldy (some call it musty, others metallic) taste in the eggs.
We feed layer crumble, they free range the yard and garden, they get scraps from the kitchen and meal work treats.

What breeds?
How long have they been laying, and how long has the musty taste been observed?
I'll assume that you collect clean eggs daily from a clean nests and eat them within days?
Free range.....they could be eating something seasonal that could affect egg taste.
Do they have access to a compost pile?


Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @TeeHoward
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[The Phantom]

I have pine bedding in mine to 'catch' the smell of their poop and I've never noticed a moldy taste in my eggs. This is interesting.

Same

 

[TeeHoward]

As do hundreds of others.

I seriously doubt this is the issue, but let us know how it works out.
Is it all the eggs or just ones from certain birds?

What breeds?
How long have they been laying, and how long has the musty taste been observed?
I'll assume that you collect clean eggs daily from a clean nests and eat them within days?
Free range.....they could be eating something seasonal that could affect egg taste.
Do they have access to a compost pile?


Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @TeeHoward
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2438655

Thank you! It's been since I was a kid that I had chickens. And I'm enjoying them greatly! Actually yes, since removing the pine shavings I've had no more bad tasting eggs. They have no access to a compost bin, only get fresh kitchen scraps and it was all of the eggs and for about a month and a half after they started laying. I am glad whatever this was is gone! I have one each of the following breeds: Lavender Orpington, Americana, Speckled Sussex and a Red New Hampshire. They are fun! Lol.

 

[Winter Creek Coop]

Maybe there was a fungus in the shavings. Maybe thats why some people have no problem with shavings and others do. Kust spit balling here.