How do YOU get those beautiful orangey yolks?

[the lemon tree]

I was just wondering what you guys feed your hens to get those gorgeous yolks. I know that it is due to the levels of caratonoids that they consume but what *specifically* do YOU feed them?

 

[FlashPointFarm]

Mine free range and get all the greens they want.

 

[cozycritters]

Mine get layer pellets, scratch, and free range all the time. We also give them leftovers

 

[gritsar]

It's the greens. Mine free range and the yolks are beautiful.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Free ranging! It's the only "natural" way to do it that I know of. Some people add marigolds to their chickens diet to help get the orange color, but if they can free range and eat what they want / need, the yolks will end up being orange naturally.

 

[the lemon tree]

My girls are free ranging for most of the day right now, but unfortunately, the backyard of the house that we just moved into needs a lot of work and we're JUST getting the grass seed in this week. Hopefully they'll get enough of it before winter comes!

I hear cracked corn is good too?

 

[emartin]

Mine get supplemented with whole flax seed, eat the grass and bugs, and they get extra bread, zuchini, watermelon, raw tomatoes, extra lettuce, etc!

 

[gumpsgirl]

Quote:
Cracked corn is just full of calories and will make your girls fat in the summer heat. In winter it's okay to give it to them in moderation because they need those extra calories to stay warm. With that being said, I don't feed cracked corn or scratch during the summer.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Cracked corn is just full of calories and will make your girls fat in the summer heat. In winter it's okay to give it to them in moderation because they need those extra calories to stay warm. With that being said, I don't feed cracked corn or scratch during the summer.

I agree. Somewhere here on BYC I posted a chart not too long ago on the amount of beta carotene in different veggies. Beta carotene is what gives the beautiful yolks and corn really doesn't have as much beta c. as you would think.
Look to your dark green veggies.

 

[Equus5O]

Quote:
Cracked corn is just full of calories and will make your girls fat in the summer heat. In winter it's okay to give it to them in moderation because they need those extra calories to stay warm. With that being said, I don't feed cracked corn or scratch during the summer.

I agree. Somewhere here on BYC I posted a chart not too long ago on the amount of beta carotene in different veggies. Beta carotene is what gives the beautiful yolks and corn really doesn't have as much beta c. as you would think.
Look to your dark green veggies.

So, they're jumping the garden fence and demolishing my Swiss Chard is what's making the yolks orange?