How do you get red yolks?

[bauerdog]

Hi everyone! Recently on the cooking channel i saw a chef using eggs that had dark orange and red yolks. Any ideas on how this is accomplished?

 

[enola]

I have never seen a red yolk, but getting orange yolks is easy. Lots of greens and corn. The Perdue company feeds their broilers marigold petals to help turn the skin yellow.

I have read that foods with lots of omegas can enhance colors in chickens.

 

[Chris09]

Carotenoid (Beta carotene), and Xanthophyll. When hens are able to eat green plant material or yellow corn the beta carotene concentrates in the yolk making them darker.

Increase corn, dark leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, and lettuce another very good supplement is alfalfa meal.

 

[enola]

Thanks for the explanation!

 

[bauerdog]

Thank you all for the rapid response. One more question.....how quickly do you think the change in color can be expected?