Marigolds for yolk color

[gritsar]

Quote:
And sometimes hens have trouble absorbing certain nutrients that would result in orange yolks.

I free range my chickens. The hens yolks are so orange they practically glow.

 

[Donna5]

mine probably wont have free run of the yard, but I am building a large outdoor enclosure, I was considering starting a potted grass patch so they can get their greens. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks

 

[CluckyJay]

Iwould find a way to cover the pot--maybe make a cage of wire so they can peck the grass tips without eating the roots out of the pot. It would be a nice addition though.

 

[Ken F]

I had read the same thing, so I fed my hens broken up marigolds last summer and fall. Their egg yolks were CRAZY orange.
They avoided the marigolds at first, as they do all new treats, but soon came running every time I went near the marigolds.
This year they are getting their own marigold patch.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

the marigolds that you use, are pot marigolds ( Calendula ) ,not the average marigolds (Tagetes), when my birds get their beek on the pot marigolds they go nuts, they won't even look at the other ones, most bugs won't eat the average one

a cold weather flower, you can plant them as soon as the ground is tillable