What Makes Egg Yolks Orange?

Whether you’re just learning how to take care of chickens or you’re an expert chicken farmer, you might still be wondering what makes egg yolks orange and what to feed chickens to get orange yolks.

This is a common question among those who want to raise chickens for their eggs. After all, orange yolks not only look more appetizing, they taste a lot better than their pale yellow yolk counterparts! And there is even speculation that the darker yolks indicate higher nutritional value in the eggs.

Today, we’ll explore what you can feed your chickens to get those desirable orange yolks.

This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

What To Feed Chickens To Get Orange Yolks

There are many things you can offer your backyard chickens to increase the chance of a bright orange yolk. Here are just a few examples:

Include Green Vegetables

Green vegetables are not only healthy for us as humans but also for chickens! They contain a lot of essential vitamins and minerals that chickens need to stay healthy and strong.

Feeding your chickens green vegetables will not only promote the health of your birds, it will also help improve the color of yolk.

This includes leafy greens such as kale, spinach, kelp, and broccoli leaves. (Don’t worry – broccoli florets are also included.) This is because leafy greens such as these are rich in beta-carotene.

Add Marigold Petals To The Diet

If you raise Marigold flowers, you can feed the petals to your hens to help ensure richer orange yolks. This is due to the natural pigments called xanthophyll that occur in Marigolds. And as an added bonus, Marigolds also have anti-inflammatory effects which will help your birds remain healthy and happy.

You can feed hens fresh or dried petals. Either way, your birds will thank you with beautiful, delicious eggs.

Feed Them Alfalfa

Alfalfa is a nutrient-rich legume that contains high levels of carotenoids, including beta carotene. Feeding chickens alfalfa can definitely contribute to the orange color of egg yolks.

You can either mix alfalfa sprouts into your chicken feed or you can give them fresh alfalfa hay to scratch through and peck on.

Offer Pumpkins

Pumpkins are a fantastic source of carotenoids which will contribute to the bright orange hue of yolks.

You can feed your chickens fresh pumpkin or if it’s not in season, offer them pumpkin seeds or canned pumpkin puree.

Pumpkins are also great for improving the overall health and condition of your backyard birds and can also aid in digestion (which makes for healthier, happier birds).

Allow For Free Range Chickens

Free range chickens that have access to outdoor areas can eat a more varied diet than caged chickens. The free range hen gets to peck on grass, seeds, and bugs, all of which contribute to the desirable orange yolk.

If you want consistently orange yolks without the extra effort of hand-picking specialty foods, make sure to let your chickens roam free in a clean and safe environment. Then sit back and enjoy the free ranging show!

More Foods That Encourage Orange Yolks

Here are even more foods that can contribute to orange egg yolks.

1. Dark leafy greens
2. Mustard greens
3. Turnip greens
4. Spinach
5. Kale
6. Kelp
7. Sweet
8. Red cabbage
9. Yellow corn
10. Red peppers
11. Open compost pile
12. White corn
13. Miniature sun flowers
14. Seeds and nuts
15. Cooked eggs (scrambled, boiled, etc)
16. Pumpkins
17. Carrots
18. Salmon
19. Shrimp
20. Bugs (crickets, worms, etc)
21. Apricots

In short, you are looking to make sure your chickens’ diet includes adequate levels of nutritional value from such foods that contain beta-carotene, xanthophyll, and carotene.

Soon, that coveted bright orange color will grace your breakfast plate every single day!

Does An Orange Egg Yolk Mean The Egg is Fresh?

If you’ve ever cracked open an egg and noticed a vibrant, orange yolk, you might be wondering what it means for the freshness of your eggs. Well, fear not! Contrary to popular belief, the color of the yolk does not necessarily indicate whether the egg is fresh or not.

In fact, the color of the yolk is simply based on the diet of the chicken. Chickens that eat a diet rich in carotenoids, such as beta-carotene found in foods like carrots, will produce eggs with a more orange yolk.

If you want to know if an egg is fresh or if an egg has gone bad, we recommend utilizing the water test or the float test.

So next time you’re cracking open some eggs for breakfast, don’t be alarmed if you see a bright, orange yolk – it just means that the chicken had a healthy, colorful diet!

Are Orange Yolks Healthier Than Yellow Yolks?

When it comes to the color of egg yolks, many people wonder if there are any health benefits to choosing one color over the other.

While there is no definitive answer, a few studies have suggested that orange yolks may have a higher nutrient content than yellow yolks. For example, orange yolks may contain more vitamins A, D, and E, as well as antioxidants and Omegas, all of which offer a range of health benefits.

However, it’s worth noting that there are many other factors that can impact the nutrient content of eggs, such as the diet and living conditions of the hens. In general, the most important thing is to choose high-quality eggs from a trusted source, and to enjoy them as part of a varied and balanced diet.