What makes the yolks orange?

[speckledegg]

I was totally looking forward to some SUPER orange yolks when my girls started laying and to be honest, I don't think they are much more orange color than our store bought eggs. My girls free range in our backyard all day and get all the bugs and grass they could want. I'm sure they are getting all the nutrients they need with their feed plus being outside, I'm just curious.

 

[gritsar]

Beta carotene makes the yolk orange. Chickens get their beta carotene from dark greens; also from corn and things like marigold petals (which is what some commercial feeds have in them to duplicate the free ranging greens intake).

 

[speckledegg]

Hmm...I seem to have picky girls. The only greens they will willingly eat is the grass. They won't eat the kale or spinach I put out for them. I'll keep trying. Thanks!

 

[JodyJo]

lettuce, petunia flowers, mine have eaten all of mine!

grapes, romaine lettuce also...anything green...