Backyard chickens provide people with a constant supply of fresh eggs, which is one of the best things about keeping them. There is no comparison between a store-bought egg and one that has been freshly collected from the coop. But what happens when you encounter a watery egg?
The white of the egg (also known as the albumen) might occasionally be more watery than we expect when we crack the egg into the pan. Throughout this article, we will discuss why chicken eggs can be watery sometimes.
What Causes Watery Chicken Eggs?
The following are some reasons why eggs may be watery. In general, there are five main reasons for this:
- The chicken's age
- A high level of ammonia in the coop
- Eggs that are old
- Eggs stored incorrectly
- Illnesses
The chicken's age
The egg-laying ability of many chicken breeds lasts for years. There is no denying that the quality of these birds' eggs deteriorates as they age. There is a tendency for older birds to lay watery eggs compared to their younger counterparts who tend to lay higher quality eggs.
Birds that lay high numbers of eggs, such as the White Leghorn or Rhode Island Red, are particularly vulnerable to watery eggs in later life. Possibly because their high rate of egg production in their lifetimes.
It is impossible to find a real solution to this problem. Your chickens are as old as they are. To get a mix of less watery eggs, consider adding some young birds to your flock.
High ammonia levels in the coop
Our chickens poop high levels of ammonia when they go to the bathroom. During the night, most chickens poop continuously, resulting in waste building up in the chicken coop. One of the reasons chicken poop is so great for compost piles is that it contains a high amount of ammonia.
Ammonia levels in the air can rise when chicken poop accumulates in the coop. A high level of ammonia leads to watery eggs in birds that are exposed to it.
It will be necessary to clean out the coop more often to reduce the ammonia levels. You may need to clean your coop as often as three times a week if you have a large number of birds in a small coop. Also, ensure proper ventilation in the chicken coop.
The eggs are old
In the homesteading and backyard chicken-keeping communities, the term 'fresh eggs' is always used. Freshness is relative. Often, watery eggs are caused by sitting around for too long before eating them. It is likely that the egg white is runnier than usual if they are more than three weeks old.
Eggs will be less likely to be watery if you work through them more quickly, keeping them for a maximum of two to three weeks before eating them. So always try to consume the older eggs first and the new eggs last.
Incorrect egg storage
To keep them fresh for as long as possible, proper storage of eggs is essential. Too much heat or low humidity can cause eggs to deteriorate, resulting in watery whites.
The solution to this problem is to store the eggs either at room temperature or in the refrigerator if you live in a very hot area. Refrigerated eggs should last between three and five weeks.
Disease
Infectious bronchitis is one of the diseases that chickens can catch, and it can affect the eggs of the chickens. There are many diseases that are contagious in poultry, but infectious bronchitis is among the most contagious.
After recovering from Infectious bronchitis, chickens may still lay watery eggs for a few weeks after recovery.
Several other diseases can also affect a chicken's eggs. Give your chickens a couple of weeks to return to normal egg-laying if they are ill or have been treated for an infection or disease.
Is it safe to eat watery eggs?
If the eggs are fresh, the shell doesn't have any cracks (which could permit bacteria like Salmonella to enter), and the egg doesn't smell (give them a sniff), you can eat watery eggs. An egg that has gone bad can be detected by its smell.
The eggs of older birds are usually more watery. In general, it doesn't mean they're unsafe to eat.
Issues with watery eggs?
In addition to laying watery eggs, some birds also lay eggs with mishaps, wrinkles, or thin shells. As long as the shell is not cracked, and the egg does not smell, it is probably safe to eat.
Conclusion
It is not uncommon for our chickens to lay watery eggs. There isn't necessarily a problem with watery eggs, it all depends on why they are watery and if the eggs smell. Check out the list above if you're worried about your chickens' eggs and see if they're suffering from any of the problems mentioned.
Have you encountered a watery egg among your flock's eggs? Share your experiences in the comments section below.
Here are some interesting articles on this topic and more:
- Common egg quality problems
- The Egg Float Test
- How Long Can Fresh Eggs Sit Out
