[Hawthorn Harry]

I thought that having a mixed bunch of Columbians, Black Rocks and others that I should be aiming for a deep orange yolk and clear colourless whites!  That's not what I have got.  The yolks are quite pale and the whites have a very faint  greenish tinge - but clear.  I feed on Layer's Pellets (GM Free) and they free range as a mob over 2 acres of garden.  They are all between 22 and 30 weeks old and no,  I don't have photos at the moment. 

What yolk colour denotes a good free range egg - the ones from the supermarket were more orange.

The taste is fantastic so there are no complaints from that point of view, but I would like to know if the mob is producing the right looking egg!!!! 

[Roughlee Handled]

My chucks eggs are deep deep yellow. They have grass in there run.
The factory produced eggs mostly get there colour as the feed that the chickens eat has a colouring in it.

Not sure what the green tinge is coming from.

[Hawthorn Harry]

Mine have grass too!!  Acres of it - they still prefer to s**t on the patio though.  Where does the deep yellow colour come from and is it something they will grow into..  When we picked them up they were very pale and been kept in a barn, they have since coloured up and look fab.  I know, I know still no pictures!!!

So, what gives the yolk the lovely rich colour???

[tode]

Isn't it maize that gives the yolks a good colour ?

[Hawthorn Harry]

Is it or isn't it? I need to know.  If it is then what about all this layers pellets stuff.  I thought it was complete......

[matilda duck]

They need the pellets, they have everything in nutritionally for them.  The rich colours of yolk usually come from free ranging.   Not much help here am I?

[Spana]

Chlorophyll in green stuff makes yolks yellow.

[Hawthorn Harry]

No, you're right ... not much help!!  But it's the thought that counts.  I couldn't give them any more free range if I tried.  They have taken over!!!  Grass, veggy beds, stream with weeds , frogs, slugs etc etc ..  spoilt bl***y rotten and they can't even put a bit of colour in their yolks.

Confinement - maybe that's the trick......

[tode]

I think if you give em an extra ration of maize regularly, you'll find the colour will gradually improve.

doc on yolk colour

[GrannieAnnie]

Matilda and spana are right, free ranging and lots of greens usually give the yolks their colour, but my girls yolks do vary in colour too.  I think its maybe they are eating too many slugs, worms and frogs!!!

But a yellow yolk doesn't mean the eggs will taste any better.  they are all lovely!

and I don't think the feed the commercial layers are fed has colouring in it now, but I could be wrong!

[nzdunn]

my girls free range, grass, slugs, snails, flies, they have there pellets, mixed corn late afternoon and loads and loads of grass, two of my girls which are laying have the most wonderful deep yellow yolks.   nickyx

[dizzylizzie]

My girls have ex-batts layers pellets available all day, and from mid-day onwards they free range. Their yolks are the most wonderful deep yellow/orange colour, not only that but the egg seems to 'hold its shape' better in the pan...if you know what i mean?
maybe your girls arnt eating nough pellets and are filling up on the goodies they find in the garden

[Sassy]

My girls have ex-batts layers pellets available all day, and from mid-day onwards they free range. Their yolks are the most wonderful deep yellow/orange colour, not only that but the egg seems to 'hold its shape' better in the pan...if you know what i mean?
maybe your girls arnt eating nough pellets and are filling up on the goodies they find in the garden

The yolks hold their shape better in the pan because they are fresh!!