Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Q&A: Cloudy Whites

Dear Lizzy,
My son's bantam hen has been laying eggs since the end of July.  About once a week she will lay an egg that is scrambled (for lack of a better word) inside.  They smell fine but look a bit cloudy...and maybe that is because of the "scrambling"  We have not been eating them.  Why is this happening?
Signed:
Cloudy in Michigan
Dear Cloudy,
ooooOOOOOooooo!  Ms. Lizzy sees cloudiness as a sign that your farm-fresh eggs are VERY fresh!  The "clouds" are caused by carbon dioxide dissolved in the whites, and after while, the gas escapes through the shell wall as the egg 'ages'.  If the white of the egg is greenish, that usually means there is too much riboflavin in their vittles.  If you feed a good brand of layer mash or pellet, your Ladies will be getting a balanced diet for their egg laying needs. Eating acorns (HEAVEN FORBID that Ms. Lizzy would munch on ACORNS!  Pttuie!) or certain types of weeds can cause that greenish tinge,  or means that there is too much riboflavin in your Girl's diet.  Whites can take on a pinkish hue as well, and that is caused by high amounts of cottonseed meal.  These eggs are not harmful to eat, but again, be sure that the Ladies have access to good layer mash if they are free range hens.
  Since you did not send a picture of the 'scrambled appearance' of the Egg In Question, Ms. Lizzy can only surmise that perhaps what you were seeing was a large string, or lumpy thickness inside the egg.  This attachment is called the Chalaza, and it anchors the yolk to the center of the egg.  This is a sign of a fresh quality egg!
Cluck Cluck!  Thanks for typing!
Ms. Lizzy

6 comments:

Angela said...

Who would had thought that a hen could lay an egg that is already scrambled! Great answers!

Have a Great Day!
Angela

Verde Farm said...

Miss LIzzy, you just amaze me!
Amy :)

kim said...

Enjoyed reading your post.Have a great day.

Chatty Crone said...

Scrambled eggs? Not sure if I could eat them or not to tell you the truth. How are you?

Love,
sandie

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Good Morning Monica Sweetie...
I have missed blogging with you this past week. Momma was here.

I see Ms Lizzy has been filling in and helping others as always. She is just a GEM. Love her.

Love you too, and hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving sweetie. Many hugs and SO much love, Sherry

nanniepannie said...

This has nothing to do with your post, but I wanted to tell your I am planning on making your deviled eggs for Thanksgiving. Hope you have a good one.