I notice every clutch of eggs contain a couple with runny yolks that sort of "explode" when cracked open. They don't smell bad and I go ahead and cook them - but does anyone know what causes this? I had one lady stop buying eggs from me (she set up getting a dozen or so through my son each week and I don't know her - yet). I'm wondering if it was because of the runny ones (I know, I know - ASK her! LOL)

(My mom recently remarked runny yolks are a sign of old eggs - but we gather every other day - and I KNOW these eggs are fresher than store-bought eggs!)

Anyway, thanks in advance for curing my ignorance!

-- Elizabeth (elizabethmorgan@usa.net), April 25, 2001

Answers

We gather twice a day, and never have that problem except when the kids find one laying out of the nest and they cannot account for how long it has been there. I have learned to give them a toss and let the cats get them; I don't even bother bringing them in the house.

Not sure if there might be some other sort of problem though.

Blessings Maylene

-- Maylene (zedanka@aol.com), April 25, 2001.

We collect our eggs about 3 times a day or as often as anyone is around the hen house. Might the eggs be getting over-heated or frozen (depending on where you live)?

-- Elizabeth (Lividia66@aol.com), April 25, 2001.

I've been told that it can also mean the chickens are getting "old" or past their prime after two years, I think. I'm still learning too! David

-- David Cripe (cripeland@aol.com), April 25, 2001.

Fancier the reason for this is the feed ource and what the hens are eating and drinking. Also the eggs are getting surface breaks in the egg shell Sounds like you need a good grit in seperate pan from feed and oyster shell in seperate pan from others. The use of calcium in the egg shells is very improtant. Email me for the egg composition article I have on my email Glenda L. Heywood frizzlebird@yahoo.com http;//www.nationalpoultrynews.com

-- Glenda L. Heywood (frizzlebird@yahoo.com), April 26, 2001.

Our eggs get runny yolks if the hens sit on them even for a few hours. A broody hen's body temp is very high. Maybe someone's laying after the last time you collect them and then sitting on them all night?

-- Peg (wildwoodfarms@hushmail.com), April 27, 2001.