[viettaclark]

We used to have such deep orange yolks but they have paled recently. I can't remember if it happened last Winter too or if it's the new pellets.
I always thought it was greens that gave the dark yolks and they are certainly getting less now but could it be more additives in the old pellets?

[joyfull]

yes the greens will affect the colour of the yolks, in commercial feeds they add things like marrigold to help get an orangey coloured yolk but fresh greens also help 

[Casey76]

Things like maize (sweetcorn) can also effect the colour (but don't feed too much as it will make them fat )

[darkbrowneggs]

A while ago they were talking about reducing the permitted levels of the yolk colourant canthaxanthin from permitted levels in animal feeds of 80 mg per kg to 8 mg per kg for poultry layer feed

As this was a few years ago it may now have been implemented

Obviously in the summer when the grass is growing well not only do the birds get the colour from the green grass but it is doubled up with the colour chemical added to the pellets/mash for those producing barn eggs.

[viettaclark]

My husband said give them turmeric in their mash! It does have medicinal properties but would it colour the yolks?

[Casey76]

You might get curry flavoured eggs as it is a strong flavour

[viettaclark]

I put garlic powder in their mash! Maybe that's why they taste so good.....??!