In search of the elusive dark orange yolk

[centrarchid]

I'd feed the carotenoid rich foods. I think with the spices, it would be an "artificial" color so to speak. The carotenoids are really good for them, and thus good for you. 

They would not be artificial by any definition. More finely ground and denser yes.

 

[BBQJOE]

I wonder if red food coloring in their water would change things up? If you're selling eggs and people want a darker yolk, who knows?
I might try adding some curry to the feed when my birds finally get off their butts and get to work. It might make for an interesting egg.

 

[beccaWA]

I didn't mean artificial, as in not natural, I just meant that I don't think the color comes from caretonoids with cayenne. I could be wrong. Then again, I just claimed it was my opinion. Nothing more. Pardon me.

 

[jobobu7]

Cracked Corn, absolutely !!!

 

[jacqueg]

I have 6 hens, and am not set up to let them free-range.

I feed good-quality layer pellets soaked in water overnight. I feed this in the morning. In the afternoon, they get sprouted wheat and what kitchen waste I generate (not much), dried stinging nettle and fresh dandelions and chickweed when they've regrown from the last time I clipped them.

But what really made the difference in yolk color was alfalfa. They weren't interested in alfalfa hay, nor in horse alfalfa pellets. Finally, I tried soaking the horse pellets with the layer pellets. They now clean it all up and I get nice orange yolks. The alfalfa pellets are nice because they come in at 17% protein, the same as the layer pellets, so I don't have to worry about rebalancing for protein. I measure it out, and I am feeding 1 cup of alfalfa to 3 cups layer pellets.

 

[AuntNomi]

I have 6 hens, and am not set up to let them free-range.

I feed good-quality layer pellets soaked in water overnight. I feed this in the morning. In the afternoon, they get sprouted wheat and what kitchen waste I generate (not much), dried stinging nettle and fresh dandelions and chickweed when they've regrown from the last time I clipped them.

But what really made the difference in yolk color was alfalfa. They weren't interested in alfalfa hay, nor in horse alfalfa pellets. Finally, I tried soaking the horse pellets with the layer pellets. They now clean it all up and I get nice orange yolks. The alfalfa pellets are nice because they come in at 17% protein, the same as the layer pellets, so I don't have to worry about rebalancing for protein. I measure it out, and I am feeding 1 cup of alfalfa to 3 cups layer pellets.

So how long have you been doing this? I may try that! Thanks for sharing.