Egg yolk colour can vary based on what a hen eats. The type of feed can affect whether a yolk looks pale yellow or deep orange.
For example, hens that eat a wheat-based diet often produce pale yellow yolks. A corn-based diet can produce deeper yellow yolks. Other feed ingredients can also affect yolk colour.
Yolk colour does not determine an egg’s flavour, nutritional value, or quality. A pale yellow yolk can offer the same nutritional benefits as a darker yolk.
Egg farmers work closely with animal nutritionists to create balanced diets for their hens. These diets provide the vitamins, minerals, protein, and other nutrients hens need to stay healthy.
Want to learn more about what hens eat? Ontario egg farmer Tonya explains how a hen’s diet can affect yolk colour in the video below.