pale egg yolks

Latest Articles

pale egg yolks

Downsizer Forum Index -> Poultry

Author

Message

emilyluddite

Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 50
Location: cricklade wiltshire

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 07 3:36 pm Post subject: pale egg yolks
My new black rocks have just come into lay, Im pleased to say, but I notice that the yolks of their eggs are quite pale compared to those of my older hens. I know it's only a cosmetic difference but I do find pale egg yolks rather unappetising. I tried giving them some boiled beetroot (for beta carotene I was told) but it hasn't helped. Any suggestions?

Lozzie

Joined: 25 May 2005
Posts: 2595

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 07 4:04 pm Post subject:

Someone told me once that more leafy greens in their diet might help - iron. Also, have they access to protein-y type things like worms and snails? When we stopped free-ranging our hens their protein intake went down a bit and their yolks went slightly paler.

Things got better when we started giving them more greens - dandelion leaves are good, my husband says - and also the occasional grated carrot.

emilyluddite

Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 50
Location: cricklade wiltshire

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 07 6:51 am Post subject:
thanks for that lozzie, yes they do free range on grass, but as they came from the breeder ie in a shed i suppose its the first grass they will have seen. I've had them a few weeks now - maybe its takes a while to work through their system, or possibly the grass isn't that nutritious at the end of the summer. Anyway i will try the dandelions as i've got a good supply

Bodger

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 07 8:20 am Post subject:
Grass is the simple answer

woodsprite

Joined: 20 Mar 2006
Posts: 2943
Location: North Herefordshire

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 07 11:05 am Post subject:

The whole, bright yellow yolks thing is a bit of a con you know. In nature a birds egg yolks will change colour according to what they're eating and the season. In the spring, grass is usually lush with all the rain, new growth etc, the eggs are deep yellow. As the season draws on and the grass becomes drier, the yolks become paler. Its the same with raw milk that you make into butter.
Sorry to sound all 'earth mother' but take a look outside at the colours of the season, that will give you a clue. The year is a cycle (or circle) and it is supposed to change.
I try to go with natureas much as possible, not against it, thats what the supermarkets do.

Bodger

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 07 11:37 am Post subject:
Battery hens have carrotin or something similar fed to them to give us that nice healthy orange yolk that we all love

pookie

Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 4984
Location: Mid-Wales

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 07 3:49 pm Post subject:
I read on a chook feed label that the pellets contained 'extract of Marigold' for a deeper yellow yolk.

woodsprite

Joined: 20 Mar 2006
Posts: 2943
Location: North Herefordshire

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 07 5:16 pm Post subject:
Hhmm, plus one or two other choice additions! Thats why I only feed mixed corn.

Vanessa

Joined: 08 May 2006
Posts: 8324

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 07 2:23 pm Post subject:
I only give mine the occasional handful of pellets when they're looking "peeky", otherwise, they're free-ranging with a few handfuls of mixed whole grains and cracked maize twice a day. Gorgeous eggs, the tastiest yolks I've ever had!

woodsprite

Joined: 20 Mar 2006
Posts: 2943
Location: North Herefordshire

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 07 2:30 pm Post subject:
Thats more or less what I do too Vanessa but not everyone can free range their hens like we can. I feed layers pellets at the beginning of the season to give them a kick start, during this time I don't eat the eggs, they just dont taste the same. After a few weeks on mixed corn and 'grazing' the eggs are fab.

	Downsizer Forum Index -> Poultry	All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

View Latest Posts