Yolk color

OK, I'll correct myself.

I just found this article (heavily scientific):
http://www.wattpoultry.com/EggIndustry/Article.aspx?id=16380

excerpt:
. . . Producers in the United States are required to use only natural pigmenting agents, which are derived from vegetable sources, although the active components are concentrated by extraction and purification.

The second component of yolk intensity relates to the specific health benefits correlated to the level of xanthophylls which comprise mainly lutein and zeaxanthin. Informed consumers are responding to advice provided by dieticians and specialists in ocular and vascular medicine to increase their intake of these pigments.

. . . The major sources of xanthophylls in diets for laying hens include corn, corn gluten meal, and dehydrated alfalfa meal. The xanthophyll content of these ingredients is shown in Table 1. Specific assays for lutein and zeaxanthin in U.S. ingredients and in feed are shown in Table 2. Variability in the carotenoid composition of ingredients contributes to variation in the intensity of yolk color produced by hens fed similar diets at different times of the year.

. . . Dieticians affiliated with the Egg Nutrition Center have reviewed available peer-reviewed scientific literature confirming the value of regular consumption of eggs in preventing age-related macular degeneration, promoting the integrity of skin and the possibility of reducing the incidence rate of certain cancers. The common factor to the health promoting attributes of eggs relate to the antioxidant properties of lutein, which is a vital component of cell membranes, which must be protected against peroxidation by free radicals.​
 
I heard it has to do with beta carotene in the diet, which is why greens and things like squash (as mentioned) will increase the intensity of the yolk color.

Just looked those compounds up and they are based on carotenes, so I think it's the same difference.
 
Mine free range all day but I have also fed them shredded cheese daily since they were a few days old (good source of protein and calcium) and also feed them black oil sunflower seeds daily. The 4 BSLs just started laying this week. The shells are so hard I sometimes bust the yolk trying to crack it and the yolks are the color of a pumpkin. They taste so good I actually lick the plate when finished to get every last drop of yolk.

First hens' - first egg

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Yolks got darker after this first one but I don't take the time to photograph them. Just grab them as soon as the chicken gets up and run in and fry it up while it's still warm.
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I too have noticed paler yolks this time around with a new batch of chickens. I have always fed the same brand of layer and I do add cracked corn in the winter and they darken up some. They free range most of the day and do get treats but once I return to work in a few weeks I will be keeping them in their pens because of predators. I am sick of losing my chickens in the winter to hawks and the occasional daytime coyote. I leave for work in the dark and will get home with enough time maybe for them to free range for an hour. It will be better than nothing. So I really can't figure out the paler yolks this time around!
 
Only 3 of my girls have started laying and they all have a bright yellowish orange colored yolk. They don't free range but they do have a 40' x 50' chicken yard and get plenty of grass and bugs to eat along with their layer feed. They also get watermelon and tomatoes and such as well.
 
So beta carotene is supposed to increase yolk color: breed has nothing to do with it: neither does free ranging.
I'm going to test out some theories...
I'll feed cracked corn for a week...log/picture the egg yolk color.
I'll feed boss for a week log/picture the egg yolk color.
and so on.
I'll post my findings!
Anyone else have any ideas?
Going to lock the buggers up too...I haven't had an egg in the nest boxes for 3 days. I know they are hiding them!
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