orange yolk

[kelliepulido]

what should I feed to really make the yolk orange?

 

[Kittymomma]

If you can let them freerange where they can snack on the grass and other vegetation you'll get orange yolks. I've heard cracked corn will do it too, but it's not good for them to eat too much of it since it's low in protien etc.

 

[jennh]

Hi ! I feed Layena, which has Tagetes extract (marigold petals) which helps make the yolks orange. Mine also free range, which helps alot.

Jen

edited for spelling (What can I say, I'm a spelling fanatic)

 

[harryg6167]

At the times that I am not able to free range my chickens they always have plenty of
cracked corn and layena (or purina layer crumbles) and they yolk gradually goes from
the deep orange to a lighter color.
Free range for the oranger colored yolks

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

Can I feed my chickens marigold petals? I always plant these in my garden.

 

[Kittymomma]

Boo-Boo's Mama :

Can I feed my chickens marigold petals? I always plant these in my garden.

I don't know, but you would probably get some more knowlegable replies if you started your own thread with your question. Good luck!​

 

[Cindy in PA]

As far as I know marigolds are edible for humans, so chickens should be OK. I did try feeding mine some once a few years ago, but they didn't go for them. I think you can give it a try.

 

[Opa]

Marigolds will improve the color of egg yolks and one national seller of chicken, Perdue, advertises the claim that their chicken tastes and lookes better due to being fed marigolds.

 

[BlackBart]

The old guy down the road used to pick Marigold petals. Boil them in water and use that water for his chicken porridge. He fed that once a week.
His egg yolks were always a dark orange.
I know one lady who juices feed carrots and uses that juice for her chicken porridge. Her yolks are dark too.
I have heard of people using Calendula petals too.

 

[gritsar]

Greens are what gives you the vivid orange yolks you are looking for.