What to feed hens to get deep orange yolks?

[Ebz5003]

What should I feed my hens to make the yolks deep orange, rather than a medium yellow? I'm not letting them free range anymore because of hawk attacks. I have heard different advice on this...insects, peppers, but these things, in small amounts, don't seem to make much difference. Any other advice? Thanks

 

[Ajp23]

I was skeptical of any of these things until I tried Nutrena feed. Most of their varieties include marigold in some form, and to my surprise, it has actually made a noticeable difference in yolk color.

I’m sure there are other feeds that include them and I’ve read of people feeding marigold flowers once they’re spent.

 

[nuthatched]

Leafy green, fodder trays, yams, pumpkins etc. You need vitamin A rich foods, high in beta carotene.

 

[BDutch]

Corn and luzerne.

 

[Ecarroll]

Many people use marigolds to create orange yolks.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

As noted above, Marigold (petals) are popular. Also, red pepper (not the seed, the dried flesh) is effective, as are shrimp & crab shells, and if budget is no object, farmed salmon.

Now is the time to plant marigolds if interested - I don't know how much your chickens will actually eat, but they are "pretty" and the seed is not particularly expensive.

Then drop $6-7 at the grocery store for bulk generic/store brand chili powder. Look on the label, you want "ground chilies" or "ground [type] chilies". That is all. Try and avoid the ones with salt or other ingredients (spices, garlic). If you can't find that, AND you have a good food processor grab a bag of dried chilis (Badia is a popular brand name locally) of some non-smoked variety. Bring your cell phone, plenty of peppers have different names when smoked and dried than simple dried. "Chipotle" are smoked. "Ancho" are not, and are your best bet - usually a large, cheap bag. Remove stems and seeds, throw them in the food processor, pulse to grind, put in a container for storage. Chances are, you are paying close to $1/oz.

Inclusion rate is 1%. That means 1/2# (around $8, likely two medium bags) of dried peppers per 50# bag of feed. Let them finish the feed bag, adjust your inclusion rate for your desired degree of food coloring.

 

[Ebz5003]

As noted above, Marigold (petals) are popular. Also, red pepper (not the seed, the dried flesh) is effective, as are shrimp & crab shells, and if budget is no object, farmed salmon.

Now is the time to plant marigolds if interested - I don't know how much your chickens will actually eat, but they are "pretty" and the seed is not particularly expensive.

Then drop $6-7 at the grocery store for bulk generic/store brand chili powder. Look on the label, you want "ground chilies" or "ground [type] chilies". That is all. Try and avoid the ones with salt or other ingredients (spices, garlic). If you can't find that, AND you have a good food processor grab a bag of dried chilis (Badia is a popular brand name locally) of some non-smoked variety. Bring your cell phone, plenty of peppers have different names when smoked and dried than simple dried. "Chipotle" are smoked. "Ancho" are not, and are your best bet - usually a large, cheap bag. Remove stems and seeds, throw them in the food processor, pulse to grind, put in a container for storage. Chances are, you are paying close to $1/oz.

Inclusion rate is 1%. That means 1/2# (around $8, likely two medium bags) of dried peppers per 50# bag of feed. Let them finish the feed bag, adjust your inclusion rate for your desired degree of food coloring.

I will have to try the ground ancho chilis in the feed. Thanks!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I will have to try the ground ancho chilis in the feed. Thanks!

When you do, if you are kind, start a new thread here in the feed forum. Crack an egg or two "for science" on a neutral background that you have handy in the kitchen. Take a picture and post it. After 10 days - 2weeks, do it again. Continue to repeat until you are done with the feed bag.

That will help add to the knowledge of the community and provide a clear visual reference - hard to argue w/ photos. Also, please indicate what feed you currently use - since feeds higher in wheat will tend to have paler eggs - to help provide a baseline.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

What should I feed my hens to make the yolks deep orange, rather than a medium yellow? I'm not letting them free range anymore because of hawk attacks. I have heard different advice on this...insects, peppers, but these things, in small amounts, don't seem to make much difference. Any other advice? Thanks

Just a note, if you feed marigold to your chickens to change the yolk color, make sure to get Tagetes erecta (which is the Mexican variety).

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Just a note, if you feed marigold to your chickens to change the yolk color, make sure to get Tagetes erecta (which is the Mexican variety).

Thank you, I should have mentioned that.