A question of colour

[roitelet]

I have Cayennes (bantams) who lay lovely eggs with dark yolks. They are kept in a grass run and feed layers pellets corn and scraps. The other day a friend gave me some of his eggs from hens kept and feed the same as mine, They are large hens kept mainly for meat. The yolks were pale and wishy washy and the flavour was not as good.

I am curious as to why. Is it a question of breed or something else? Any suggestions please.

[Suechooks]

Green vegetation? I always understood it was greens that colour the yolks. Some feeds also have yolk enhancer in. Maybe its the quality of feed. Maybe your friend doesn't give as much green stuff or uses a different feed.

[di]

I think the more greens they eat the yellower the yolk so maybe your friend skimps on the greens?

I have noticed though that our Cream Legbars have the yellowest yolk so breed must have a part to play too.

[Snadger]

I think the more greens they eat the yellower the yolk so maybe your friend skimps on the greens?

I have noticed though that our Cream Legbars have the yellowest yolk so breed must have a part to play too.

Thats interesting! I've noticed certain types naturally lay eggs with yellow'er yolks also.
Wouldn't you think they would highlight this when giving a list of variants attributes?

[Nicos]

I found this bit of info.....

"Yolk color depends on the diet of the hen. If she gets plenty of yellow-orange plant pigments known as xanthophylls, they will be deposited in the yolk. Hens fed mashes containing yellow corn and alfalfa meal lay eggs with yellow yolks, while those eating white corn, grain sorghum (milo), wheat or barley yield light-colored (platinum) yolks. Natural yellow-orange substances such as marigold petals may be added to light-colored feeds to enhance yolk color. "

Mst say though- that since we changed the type of pellets we feed our gals, the yolks are slightly less orange....(although ours mostly free range)

[roitelet]

Thanks folks. I will have a word with him re the greens etc.