Sudden pale yolks

[LaFleche]

I didn't know you could test for worms, I'll look into that..thanks!

You can have a fecal float test done but it can result false negative as worms do release their eggs not daily, but in intervals.

 

[Henflummoxed]

Since your other yolks are fine then this is an individual hen issue, not something you need to treat the whole flock for.

Yolk color is diet based. Some Layer chicken feed contains dried marigold flower petals to color the yolks. Yolk color has nothing to do with nutrition of the yolk, just color.

This hen has always had pale yolks, just not this pale. Some diseases can cause something like this but since your other yolks are fine I'd not worry about that. I personally don't worm my flock or treat anything unless I have evidence that they need treating. If you do worm because this one hen is laying lighter yolks then worm your entire flock and observe the withdrawal times for that specific wormer for the eggs.

Since it is diet based it is possible that hen is avoiding certain foods that contain the pigments to color egg yolks. Since she has always been this way that does not sound reasonable but I try to never say never.

My guess is that there is something about her digestive system where she does not process those dyes properly. The yolks are grown in her body cavity before they are dropped in her internal egg making factory so whatever is happening has nothing to do with her shell gland or any other part of that assembly system.

As long as she is behaving normally and not sick I'd be OK with eating her eggs. Since I consider it a flaw and it might possibly be genetic I would not hatch her eggs. If you sell or give your eggs away you might not want to include her eggs as your customers might be concerned.

Thanks for your time on this! She is a voracious treat eater, eats anything, and yes she is acting normally. I do think I'll test for worms to see if that is something I should do. My other hen is older and not laying much, but yes her yolks have been normal. These are just my personal layers, no customers and I haven't gotten into breeding or hatching. Thank you for your thoughts!