Grass plays a crucial role in creating contented hens and producing eggs with vibrant yolks, as argued by Arthur Parkinson.
Chatting about Chickens and Eggs
Let's discuss harvesting hens' eggs, a common farming task. The joy of fresh eggs is undeniable, especially for those with chickens roaming lush pastures. But what factors contribute to the vibrancy of egg yolks?
Some misinformed social media influencers occasionally comment that fancy egg brands deceive consumers by adding paprika and calendula petals to their hens' feed to achieve the fiery hue of their products. However, the secret is out—most commercial poultry feed already includes chemical-free yolk color enhancers.
These natural enhancers primarily come from calendula petals and chopped maize. These ingredients gift the egg yolk with their yellow saffron complexion, resulting in a very bright yellow color similar to that of hens grazing fresh, verdant grass.
In the 1980s, the poultry industry adopted this practice to appease consumer demand for darker colored yolks that were commonly associated with free-range hens. If you've noticed paler egg yolks during the winter months, that could be due to a scarcity of fresh grass shoots for the hens to peck on.
But, there's a catch! Feeding hens mown grass clippings isn't beneficial. Hens could consume the cut blades like strands of spaghetti, leading to a dangerous condition called sour crop. That requires prompt veterinary attention.
Nowadays, both calendula and paprika are incorporated into commercial hen feed. This means that yolk color is no longer an indicator of a hen's living conditions and quality of life. Many cooks prefer eggs with an almost blood orange-colored yolk, but this vibrant shade is solely achievable if the hens' feed consistently contains an unusually high concentration of paprika.
So, you might wonder, how can you get orange yolks at home? If you're keen on experimenting, feed your hens weekly portions of a layer's mash made with water, sweet paprika, turmeric, boiled, mashed carrot, swede, and pumpkin. Alternatively, purchase the poultry tonic called sundrench from Legbars of Broadway to achieve radiant, Jaffa Cake orange eggs.
Rounding off, I'd say that grass and hens coexist in harmony, especially when grass is plentiful. However, their association faces challenges in small spaces where the acidic droppings of hens can scorch the grass. If you find yourself with restricted space, introduce deep litter runs with regularly added chopped straw. This provides hens with an alternative, well-ventilated home and ensures the grass remains undisturbed and healthy throughout the year.
Happy henkeeping!
Incorporating calendula petals and paprika into home-and-garden projects like gardening can help create a rich, home-grown feed for hens, resulting in vibrant lifestyle elements such as bright orange egg yolks. On the other hand, relocating hens and their coops to a home-and-garden setting might require a careful approach to maintain the health of grass while providing a comfortable lifestyle for the birds, perhaps through deep litter runs or regular straw addition.
