Pale Yolks

By Jeff Mattocks

   It is that time of year again. Time to change the clocks back. Time to prepare for winter for our livestock and poultry. The season without grass, insects, and foraging can be stressful for the animals and their managers. A well laid plan can minimize the stress for your animals and you. Let us look at managing egg yolk color through the winter.

   There are several options for helping you manage egg yolk color in the absence of foraging. What is or where does the color come from? Carotenoids and xanthophyl are the basis for the yolk coloring. In younger pullets and hens this is stored up by the chicken’s body. In young pullets you will notice the legs are darker yellow, also the beak and a deposit under the skin around the vent. Take a closer look next time you get or raise pullets. This will gradually be removed from the body and transferred to the yolk over time. When a hen is nearing retirement or the end of her lay cycle you will see pale legs and skin pigment. She gave it her all for the yolk color.

   Is it just color or does it have a purpose? Yes, it has a purpose. We know that carotenoids are precursors of beta carotenes. Beta carotenes are part of the vitamin A group of vitamins. So, yes in the end, brighter yolks or darker yolks would have a higher concentration of vitamin A at a minimum. We also know that fresh green forages are higher in vitamin E. I would think that the vitamin E levels in the yolks would be lower also in the winter months without access to fresh green forage. For a moment, let us define fresh green forage. Fresh green forage is plant matter that is actively growing and performing photosynthesis. Dormant forage will have a reduced level of vitamins A and E. Let us not be fooled to think that winter grazing stockpiled forages will be the same as during the grazing seasons.

Let us outline your options –

1.       Do nothing and let nature run its course.

2.       Supplement with Marigold extract.

3.       Supplement with Paprika powder.

4.       Supplement with Alfalfa hay.

5.       Grow fodder for the flock.

 Of course, Option one is the easiest. No effort or management required. You only need to explain to your customers the chickens are not foraging. They are taking a break for winter. Modern consumers are judging eggs by their yolk color. They do not understand the seasonal changes to pasture raised eggs. Someone has them believing that the darker the yolk color the more nutritious the egg.

Option two – Marigold - is not always accessible for all poultry keepers. Finding marigold extract in smaller quantities is difficult. I really do not know of any suppliers of marigold extract in packaging less than 50 pound bags. When the typical use rate is 3 pounds per ton of feed, 50 pound bags is not realistic for most people. Even finding a feed mill that stocks marigold extract or powder is a struggle. The simple addition of tiny amounts of marigold powder does enhance the color of the egg yolk.

Option three – Paprika – dried red peppers ground into a powder. The addition of small amounts of paprika to chicken feed is helpful in maintaining egg yolk color.  Paprika is being used at the rate of 3 to 6 pounds per ton of layer feed. The red color of the pepper is transferring to the yolk. When combined with the natural yellow color of the carotenoids the yolk will have more of an orange coloration. While it appears red in color to our eyes paprika on average contains many beta and alpha carotenes. Other sources of vitamin A with egg yolk coloration to boot. Paprika is easily found in grocery stores, spice shops, restaurant supply businesses and big box stores. A good option to enhance egg yolk color. If your feed mill will add it or you are willing to shake it on their feed daily.

Option 4 – Alfalfa hay or meal – Alfalfa products are readily available in most parts of the country. Like the other color enhancing additives, it is high in vitamin A and E. Alfalfa hay is my personal favorite. Here is why. If you can find a way to hang slices of alfalfa hay from the ceiling or above the hens at just the right height they need to stretch for it, they will peck at the hay as a toy, distraction, or just diversionary. Why is this important? If they are pecking or chasing hay, they will not be pecking at each other! During the winter being cooped up, big weather changes, snow, and reduce space to roam around hens have a propensity to peck each other. Hanging hay is a great way for them to feel like they are foraging and destroying something besides each other. Meanwhile, the egg yolks will have better color from the alfalfa replacing their typical pastures.

Option 5 – Fodder – Fodder had a revived interest about a decade ago. I see the interest in growing fodder waning off more recently. Why? Too much work! For the value of fodder with the work involved you will get more nutrition out of alfalfa hay than fodder. There was for a short time quite a bit of misinformation about the nutritional value of fodder for chickens. The data used was for ruminant feeding. Like high protein values and vitamins. While it was reported on the “Dry Matter” basis. This measurement is only effective for ruminant animals. The “As Fed” values were quite low and almost insignificant for a chicken or any monogastric animal.

Ultimately, the best solution is a combination of options 2, 3, and 4 for the best all around egg yolk color and health of your chickens! I would start with option 4 – alfalfa hay - then try to incorporate options 2 & 3 – marigold and paprika if possible.