Yolk Color Question

[adkins90]

Hello All,
I got some Barred Rock eating eggs from a friend of mine. When I went the fix the first eggs, I noticed the yolk color is very light. Is this normal? and safe?

I have never seen this before.

Michelle

 

[MicMoo]

Quote:
Yes on both counts. Because the hens are getting a natural diet of grass and bugs along with natural light and fresh air, their yolks are much darker than the pale eggs from the store.

Here's my egg (bottom) compared to a store bought one:

 

[MicMoo]

However... after RE-READING your original post, I see that my answer is probably not answering the right question.

I mistook 'light' to be 'bright' (silly eyes of mine... I'm in the process of getting my glasses replaced

)

 

[miss_jayne]

they are probably just fine. the chickens may not have access to lots of greens. depending on what the weather is near you, they may be eating formulated chicken feed which is just fine.

if you are concerned about freshness, take on of the eggs and drop it gently into a glass of water. if it rises, it's on the old side. if it drops to the bottom, it's very fresh.

the breed of chicken does not change the food part of the egg.

enjoy the eggs!

 

[adkins90]

Thanks for the post. I was just curious. I knew that the breed of bird, wouldn't change the egg. I was just concerned honestly, about disease or something to that nature.

I think they are fine, and tasted very good...LOL!

Michelle

 

[eeiko321]

yeah apparently yolk colour depends on thier diet.

and from my experience, free range chicken's eggs are brighter and less viscous than supermarket battery eggs...

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. It depends on the bird’s diet. My yolks are paler because my bird’s diet is primarily their feed I buy and what they scratch up in the yard. When my gardens are growing and they get more from the gardens, their yolks get brighter, richer in color.

 

[msgenie516]

Hi,

Since it is winter, I have been feeding my hens more scratch grain, which contains cracked corn. I find the corn makes the yolks much brighter and deeper in color. Genie

 

[dancingbear]

Alfalfa pellets (or baled alfalfa, they love it) help in winter to get nice, orange yolks. Lots of beta carotene in greens.

 

[warren]

My youngest lays eggs with paler yolks than the other two. They have access to the same food. The eggs are just as good to eat.