what causes pale yolks?

[red reaper]

I tend to think my brown egg layers have pale yolks,almost looks like a store bought egg. Is this an indication of something? I also think the whites might be wattery. When you crack them and drop it into the skillet, you get the yolk,then typical thickness white,and then what looks like a thinner type white around the egg. It fry's up ok,but makes me wonder if something is going on.

 

[chickflick]

I let my hens free range, so they're getting the greens and bugs they need to make the orange yolk. Even in winter, I'll give them green beans and protein.

 

[warren]

I have 2 Goldline hens. One produces yolks of a deep orange colour, but the other's yolks are pale lemon yellow. They both have access to the same food, and free range around the garden, so I don't think it is due to diet in her case. I am puzzled by it too. One is about 6 months old and the other 7 months.
The only difference is that the one which lays pale eggs loves eating slugs.

 

[Jenski]

If you let them have plenty of access to grass, and/or you provide them with plenty of greenies (dark green leafy stuff like kale, Romaine lettuce, green or red leaf lettuce, spinach, etc.) their yolks will darken into a lovely deep orange.

For us, this also means our egg dishes are fluorescent yellow, though! Creme brulee, scrambled eggs, pancakes, you name it - they're all bright yellow and super-rich tasting! Yum!

I noticed that some of my hens do like their greens better than others, and this is reflected in their yolk colors. I know who's been eating their spinach!

 

[sunbury chick]

I don't know if this has anything to do with my hens having very golden yolks,but,they've been eating marigolds.They are in a fenced area now(no flowers to eat)so I'll see if the yolks are still dark yellow.They just have grass and feed,fruit scraps and left overs .