What can I feed to get brighter, richer yolks?

[HenHouse Henry]

I was just reading a post on this site that includes before and after images after feeding paprika for only 2 weeks. Not surprised - I give paprika to my bay horse to keep his coat dark in the summer and the sun does not bleach him out.
Will add a little paprika to my hens feed and see how it goes.

I use chili powder and crushed chilis, I put it in their oatmeal in the morning. Yolks come out very dark. Marigold flowers I hear help darken yolks, but it may cut down on egg production.

 

[sandburRanch]

Sure free range is best but as strange as it may seem , a small area of alfalfa pasture for hens to forage on will improve yolk color as well as be beneficial to the hen's health . To go a step farther , pull the hens from it in early fall allowing the Alfalfa to grow for hay production then feed the hay during the winter . If this isn't feasible , buy bales of alfalfa to feed 1 flake at a tme in a suspended net .

Ever notice the faint green color of purchased laying mash , pellets etc . Well , that pale green color ain't prairie hay , it's steamed alfalfa .