Orange yolks

[Barry42001]

Since I started allowing the chickens to free range the color of the yolk has changed from yellowish to orange which I understand is exactly what happens when you get them off of feed now they are getting feed but it seems they largely ignore that to the more natural food feeding more heavily on it as the Cockroach population declines LOL fear not though living in Florida the Cockroach population will rebound mightily. The few birds that allow us to pick them up always have full crops so they're finding something they find edible.

 

[N F C]

When I lived in FL, my flock's favorite 'catch' was frogs It was kind of gross, but fun seeing them play keep away with the captured frogs!

 

[SueT]

Yes, they eat lots of grass and bugs and less feed. I think the eggs are more healthful, and the chickens are happier. I wasn't able to keep free ranging due to predators, but wish I could....hope I can in the future.

 

[coach723]

I've always considered more orange yolks to be better, and a sign of a better diet. On the rare occasions when I have to buy eggs from the store they are nauseatingly pale yellow and I can hardly bear eating them.
And yes, they get quite the varied diet here in Florida. Jurassic bugs and frogs and lizards, yum, yum. You might look for a different plant they are finding, some feeds will add marigold petals to give the yolks more color, so they could be finding a particular plant or flower that is contributing.

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

This is a good thing! I have found that the color of the yolks can change, of course with the variation in their diet. My girls often have the most orange yolks in the spring when they gorge on the fresh new grass. Your girls may be doing the same thing if they are new to free ranging.

If everyone is healthy and laying well, just enjoy the beautiful health foo they are providing for you. A lot of people pay extra money for that!

 

[Cynthia12]

When I first started doing chickens I would notice that their egg yolks were always more orange once they were out and free ranging when spring came. They are in a run during the winter. Their yolks would go yellow. Then I discovered Calf Manna. A very good protein to feed them during the winter. . We get snow...They love it. When they can't get out and free range to eat all of the yummy buggies and Froggy's, grsss and whatever else they find, give them a handful of calf manna every other day. Of course you have to go by the size of your flock as to how much to feed..I have a backyard flock. Also, during the winter, I feed them greens... spinach, kale, or I make them some fodder. I really do believe it's the greens that make the yolks orange.

 

[Barry42001]

Video on YouTube showed a cat stalking a mouse only to have a buff orpington, zooming in out of frame and snag the mouse and eat it little velociraptors

 

[Cynthia12]

Saw that one, it was hilarious.

 

[Barry42001]

The expression on the cat's face was priceless LOL