In search of the elusive dark orange yolk

[centrarchid]

Carotenoids consumed with green plants, paprika, cayenne, and chili powders / peppers are stored as carotenoids in yolk, liver and skin as already noted. The same carotenoids are also omnipotent in that that can be converted to all forms of vitamin A that poultry and humans need for normal metabolism.

 

[COChix]

I found this picture online and thought it was helpful.

 

[Hholly]

Thanks for all the helpful information everybody!

 

[centrarchid]

I found this picture online and thought it was helpful.

I can match any of the above with diets I make. Still preferred for purpose of marketing are diets that have the free-range component.

 

[COChix]

I can match any of the above with diets I make. Still preferred for purpose of marketing are diets that have the free-range component.

So are you saying based on your feed mix and additives that you migh toss in, you can replecate the color of the egg yolks?

 

[centrarchid]

So are you saying based on your feed mix and additives that you migh toss in, you can replecate the color of the egg yolks?

Yes, you can even make for a deeper red coloration than typically realized by even birds totally reliant on natural forages. Exact same nutrients involved, only difference if the source. Free-range birds get their carotenoids either directly or indirectly from plant forages. Some acquired indirectly through invertebrate prey such as insects in in my location terrestrial crustaceans (isopods). My birds eat tremendous amounts of greens that are relatively dilute with respect to carotenoid content. Much greens consumed that people realize, especially when greens are quality. The pepper powders are simply concentrated sources that are easily acquired and mixed into feed. It is also easy to over supplement with the powders but that might rendered less needed if oil content of diet is bumped up a little. My reasoning for that is the carotenoids / A-vitamers are fat-soluble where the oils in the digesta aid in the uptake across the gut lining. Such known with salmon where getting carotenoids in flesh is important for market acceptance.

 

[COChix]

Yes, you can even make for a deeper red coloration than typically realized by even birds totally reliant on natural forages. Exact same nutrients involved, only difference if the source. Free-range birds get their carotenoids either directly or indirectly from plant forages. Some acquired indirectly through invertebrate prey such as insects in in my location terrestrial crustaceans (isopods). My birds eat tremendous amounts of greens that are relatively dilute with respect to carotenoid content. Much greens consumed that people realize, especially when greens are quality. The pepper powders are simply concentrated sources that are easily acquired and mixed into feed. It is also easy to over supplement with the powders but that might rendered less needed if oil content of diet is bumped up a little. My reasoning for that is the carotenoids / A-vitamers are fat-soluble where the oils in the digesta aid in the uptake across the gut lining. Such known with salmon where getting carotenoids in flesh is important for market acceptance.

Interesting, so you try to give your birds a balance of greens with their feed, in which you add supplements for making yolks darker? The greens are given so that the birds can better absorb those supplements? Are the greens you feed fresh or powdered feed grade greens? Do you free range your birds?

 

[centrarchid]

Interesting, so you try to give your birds a balance of greens with their feed, in which you add supplements for making yolks darker? The greens are given so that the birds can better absorb those supplements? Are the greens you feed fresh or powdered feed grade greens? Do you free range your birds?

Once you are into providing chickens a grain based formulation that is optimized for only growth / egg production, you are providing a diet that is lean with respect to nutrients that impart qualities on eggs we associate with free-range foraging. Having birds out getting some greens can off set some of that diluted (from formulated diet) carotenoid intake. The greens as far as I know do not offset / improve uptake efficiency, rather they simply provide more for the bird to extract from. The supplements are simply a carotenoid rich / dense component of the diet. Actual greens my bird consumed are acquired largely though free-range foraging although confined birds can also get them through consuming sprouted grains. I have been using the ground pepper, paprika in particular, because it is easy to work with. I free-range many of my birds most of the year but now essentially all are confined which is the reason in the interest in the supplements.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Surely adding peppers is not nutritionally beneficial to the chicken or egg just gives it a different colour... Whereas I imagine feeding them more green leafy veg improves not just the colour but health of the chicken and would help produce more nutritious eggs? just thinking out loud really.

Capsicum in the form of many hot peppers are packed with minerals, vitamins and certain phyto-nutrients.
A rich source of vitamin C and B complex vitamins.
The richest source of vitamin A among spices.
Also contains iron, copper, zinc, potassium, manganese, magnesium and selenium.

Capsicum is used in humans for various problems with digestion including upset stomach, intestinal gas, diarrhea and cramps. It is also used for conditions of the heart and blood vessels including poor circulation, excessive blood clotting, high cholesterol and preventing heart disease.

I'd call those nutritional benefits.

Once you are into providing chickens a grain based formulation that is optimized for only growth / egg production, you are providing a diet that is lean with respect to nutrients that impart qualities on eggs we associate with free-range foraging. Having birds out getting some greens can off set some of that diluted (from formulated diet) carotenoid intake. The greens as far as I know do not offset / improve uptake efficiency, rather they simply provide more for the bird to extract from. The supplements are simply a carotenoid rich / dense component of the diet. Actual greens my bird consumed are acquired largely though free-range foraging although confined birds can also get them through consuming sprouted grains. I have been using the ground pepper, paprika in particular, because it is easy to work with. I free-range many of my birds most of the year but now essentially all are confined which is the reason in the interest in the supplements.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/free-range-eggs-zmaz09fmzraw.aspx

I have a lot of Chinese egg customers that love the dark yolks. I imagine they were used to them from free range chickens at home.

 

[hayley3]

I think there's a big difference between giving them a green pepper and a dried powder. There's a big benefit to enzymes in fresh vegetables.