do dark yellow or orange yolks mean they are healthier.

[WindingRoad]

Here is the info from Purina:

• Added Marigold Extract for rich yellow yolks - A high level of xanthophyll, a coloring agent derived from marigolds, produces deep yellow egg yolks

Does Dumoor add that?

 

[RoosterML]

Does Dumoor add that?

That I am not sure of. I used to use Poulin Grain layer feed which is produced right next to both of us in VT and I can tell you that I had really orange eggs when using their layer feed.

 

[imnukensc]

I think you can contribute that nice orange color to the amount of Marigold in the Purina Layer feed.

You could be absolutely correct, but I would think the free ranging helps, too. If I recall correctly, the eggs from our chickens when I was a kid (and that was a long time ago) had deep orange yolks and all we ever fed them was scratch.

 

[RoosterML]

You could be absolutely correct, but I would think the free ranging helps, too. If I recall correctly, the eggs from our chickens when I was a kid (and that was a long time ago) had deep orange yolks and all we ever fed them was scratch.

No arguments from me, all depends on what they eat. I think this year I might plant a section of the garden just Marigolds.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

For some reason I'm a bit fearful of the darker yellow/orange yolk eggs...... like, I feel as if they are somehow 'rotten'. I know it's just me and being used to store-bought eggs. I did eventually started to eat my own eggs.

 

[Aceoky]

There are other things that darken yolks, much of those they obtain when free ranged or in large outdoor runs . Even them getting some corn will cause a darker yolk than a layer mash only fed chicken for example.

 

[Aceoky]

Well @Shamo Hybrid , remember store bought eggs for the most part are fed the cheapest available diet in order to maintain peak laying; your chickens are likely fed MUCH better thus better quality eggs - that shows in your yolks!

 

[RoosterML]

Mine free range daily nearly all day, but are fed Purina layer pellets with occasional treats of mealworms, sunflower seeds, leftover veggies, etc. I think you can figure out which egg is store bought and which egg one of my chickens laid.
View attachment 1635981

That's a hell of a nice color by the way.

 

[Acre4Me]

i was able to darken the yolk by adding marigold buds to the chick treats.... and found an "egg enhancer" feed which has marigolds in it and other stuff.

https://www.thekitchn.com/what-does-egg-yolk-color-actually-mean-ingredient-intelligence-215672

And here I was about to suggest that marigolds get planted for these chickens! Yup, marigolds will help the color!

 

[GreenMountainEric]

Darker yolks mean one thing...... your chickens diet is higher in Carotenoids. The healthiest chicken in the world could be eating a diet that makes them lay an egg with a yolk so light, that it is almost off-white.

If you want yellower yolks, you feed things like marigold, orange peels, corn, etc. If you want them more orange, you feed more alfalfa, lobster shells, Chile powder, paprika, or some other type of greens, etc..

In the US, yolks are A LOT darker than a lot of other places, because we feed diets that are high in yellow corn. Diets with more wheat, barley, rye, etc., will produce much lighter yolks, even with free range birds. This is why yolks are so much lighter in most parts of Europe, and other places that use a lot of small grains.