What color are your yolks? I'm disappointed with mine

[chickenlickin8]

I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong here. My girls get their layer crumbles, fresh water, broccoli, apple wedges, dry oats and I let them out to forage in the evenings to eat grass, bugs, etc. I thought "home grown" hens would give me a dark orange yellow yolk....like I've heard. Mine are a light lemony yellow

what's up with that?? Is that normal?

 

[shaylee]

Flax helps. My egg yolks are much more orangy when they have flax in with their food. Some people use marigolds too.

 

[silkiechicken]

Well, lemonly yellow is better than pale yellow of 70's counter tops. Mine range from a deep yellow to yellow orange, and in winter, they at times get to a paler yellow.

 

[chickenlickin8]

LOL...70s counter tops were cool

....in the 70s...LOL! I guess I will be happy for the lemony yellow. I was so eager to see that orange yellow golden yolk!

I might have to try some flax seed to see if that helps.

Thanks!

 

[keljonma]

The dark yolks are partially due to beta carotene (a form of vitamin A) - think grated carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, winter squashes. Our flock loves them.

 

[chickenlickin8]

Great suggestion...Thanks! I have never given them any of those...I'll add to the grocery list

 

[mtnhomechick]

If it was me I would subract. I give my girls layer crumbles/soon to be pellet and a few veggies.......like corn on the cob and cabbage...hanging, plus grit and oyster shell.

I also feed some cracked corn but not too much.

The yolks are a deep deep orange.

Hope this helps.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

More greens should give them orange yolks. Mine eat a lot of different pasture plants, leafy garden greens and native plants while they are foraging. They eat a small amount of fruit that they find and half ripened seeds. They love bugs of all kinds and worms, but mostly they eat a lot of green food. In the winter, when everything is covered in snow, their yolks get lighter and turn a deep gold, instead of a dark orange.

Anything green or orange in the veggie family should help.

 

[tiki244]

How about dandelion greens? Or Collards? When I weed I throw all the dandelion greens in there and they are gone in no time.

 

[chickenlickin8]

Thanks for all the suggestions....I will experiment with some of of these and see if it makes a difference. Can't wait to see if the yolks turn a golden yellow instead of lemon yellow