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By Nellie's Kindness Crew
Even if you don't eat eggs every morning, you've probably wondered once or twice why the yolks in your carton of Nellie's Free Range Eggs look darker than others you've purchased at the store or enjoyed at your favorite diner. Once you dig in, you might find that they taste better, too. Unsurprisingly, it all comes back to the hen.
There are many factors that can influence the color and richness of an egg yolk. The most notable ones include:
Free range hens that have access to green, grassy pastures tend to lay eggs with darker yolks than their caged counterparts. This is primarily due to the carotenoids (yellow, orange, and red plant pigments) found in the clovers, grasses, and other greens that the hens consume outdoors. Free range hens instinctually snack on insects and grubs too, which have a high concentration of protein and other nutrients that affect the color and quality of their eggs.
While free range has many benefits, it can also lead to more variation in yolk color than you might find in a carton of eggs from a factory farm. Every hen is unique, and differences in grazing habits from hen to hen and from flock to flock can result in a mix of orange and lighter yellow yolks in any given carton.
The composition of and ingredients in the chicken feed available to a flock have a big impact on yolk color in the long run. Our Certified Humane Free Range hens spend most of their days foraging outdoors for bugs and tasty greens, but unlike cows or sheep, they are not ruminants and cannot subsist solely on the pasture that’s available to them. That’s why we provide our hens with a supplementary feed containing a wide range of beneficial nutrients and minerals that are essential to their health.
As hens age, their grazing habits and feed composition change, and they tend to lay eggs with lighter yolks than hens in their prime laying days. While we wish we could guarantee a consistent color for all of our egg yolks, we feel that the benefit of giving our hens the freedom to live a longer life on our farms is worth any inconsistencies in yolk color that may result. We partner with over 45 farms that are family owned and run, which means at any given time, our flocks are all different ages. Despite any differences in appearance or flavor, eggs from older flocks still have the same nutritional value of eggs from hens in their prime layings days.
Hens are sensitive to their surroundings, and small changes like a shift in season or temperature often affect characteristics like yolk color in their eggs. Generally speaking, these factors can't be controlled, but ensuring that our hens have access to a safe, warm, well-lit hen house keeps their stress to a minumum.
The nutritional value of an egg can't be judged solely by yolk color, but darker yolks are usually a good indicator that the hen has been fed a healthy, varied diet. In other words, yolk color doesn't necessarily impact nutritional value, but it does correspond to the health of the hen herself.
The short answer is no: yolk color does not indicate freshness. Although egg whites can become "looser" or more watery over time, yolks generally don't lose their hue as they sit in the refrigerator.
There's no proven correlation between yolk color and flavor, but most people agree that darker orange yolks tend to taste richer and more flavorful. This can be attributed to the diet of the hens: as is true of grass-fed meats and pasture-raised milk, the product of a humanely treated animal with access to a healthy, varied, natural diet tends to taste better.
Keep doing what you’re doing!
Thanks for supporting our happy hens!
never had such dark yokes--good to know they are really free range hens
We're proud to raise truly free range hens!
Are you in Canada?
Hi Christina, thank you for taking the time to reach out. We are currently only available in the United States.
I bought Nellie’s to make deviled eggs for Thanksgiving dinner at a friends house. I have had Nellie’s before and thought I remembered them having the orange yolk. In the process of making the deviled eggs I found that these eggs in the Nellie’s carton were not Large nor had an orange yolk. Could someone have switched out the eggs? I’m really a little disgusted as I spent money for the Nellie’s but I’m doubting that I got them. I’m bummed.
Hi Sherry, we are so sorry for this disappointing experience with our eggs. We'd love to talk more with you about your experience if you wouldn't mind emailing us: [email protected]!
A few egg whites were a neon green. Are these safe to eat?
Hi Penelope! Thank you for reaching out. We'd be happy to look into this issue if you wouldn't mind sending us an email to: [email protected] Thanks!
My wife and I have noticed the change in color of the yolks over the past two months and have been purchasing Nellie’s for the past two years. The dark orange color of these yolks is not natural in origin and identical to eggs we have purchased from a different brand at Aldi and Publix. Yes, free range hens feeding on the diet described in this blog will produce a more golden to orange yolk, however the eggs being sold by Nellies and other brands being marketed as Free Range appear to have a color similar to that of food coloring when scrambled or hard boiled. It does not appear natural. The most natural looking, orange yolks I have eaten were on a trip to Rome, Italy in 2020 just before the pandemic. Only a select number of people on a farm truly know what is exactly in the chicken feed being administered to the hens (free range foraging aside). Approved “Nutritional” additives by agricultural governing organizations may be included in animal feed to enhance certain characteristics so that it appeals to current consumer tastes/ desires, etc. Remember, the best place to hide a lie is between two truths (which may or may not be the case here). The above information is factual regarding a hens diet and egg yolk color but fails to inform what EXACTLY is in the chicken feed itself which may in fact be proprietary and something only the manufacturer of the feed may know. The individual who responds to this post may not be at liberty to reveal what exactly is in the feed for a variety of reasons. The individual who responds to this post MAY or MAY NOT know what exactly is in the feed being given to the hens. The farmers themselves may not even know what is exactly in the feed, only that is helps the hens produce more orange yolks that more “health conscious” folks are willing to buy. The person who responds to this comment may be so far removed from that aspect of the business that it would take an enormous amount of time and energy just to get to the right person willing to tell the truth. Personally, I am not too concerned with the safety of the eggs at this point. They taste reasonably good when compared to other brands and nobody in my house is getting sick or having reactions. What concerns me is whether or not we are being told the truth. People are suspecting something and want a straight answer. That’s all. It doesn’t mean we will stop buying your eggs if in fact an “approved nutritional additive” is being included in the feed being administered to the hens. That falls on the manufacturer of the feed but ultimately the farmers purchasing the feed they administer to the hens. We are being lied to with impunity by a multitude of sources in today’s world and we’re having a hard time “proving” what we on some level know to be true. People simply want the truth now more than ever and are willing to handsomely reward those that tell it.
Hi David, Thank you for that insightful response. Here at Nellie's, we started the conversation in our industry on telling the truth to consumers about horrible conditions and very concerning animal welfare standards across many companies here in the United States. We pride ourselves on being the first to say no to these horrific standards and stay true to our roots in simple American farming and taking utmost care for our animals. We also bring with great honor being a Certified B Corporation and being recommended by the ASPCA, so consumers can believe in what they're buying. We know there is much more we need to do to change the industry and outroot factory farming practices that have gained popularity in the last few decades. And here at Nellie's, we will continue to challenge our industry to move in a more positive direction for our consumers and animals alike. Thank you for supporting Nellie's Free Range!
I understand what causes the color of the yolk. I have been buying Nellies for at least 3 years now and the yolks have all been yellow. It is this year that I am getting the dark orange color. Can you tell me what you have changed? Remember, I said we have have been purchasing for years, not months, so we couldn't be getting the winter eggs for all that time throughout the years. Thank you.
Hi Felice! Thank you for reaching out to us. We completely understand your concerns and hope to assuage them with a brief explanation of yolk color and why it can fluctuate from time to time. Our free-range hens enjoy nutritionally balanced diet that contains ingredients such as corn and soybeans. This is in addition to the insects and greens that they forage for in the pasture on a daily basis. As a result of this diet containing species-appropriate nutrients and plenty of carotenoids (the naturally occurring pigment found in plants like the ones our free-range hens consume in the pasture), our egg yolks tend to have a rich, vibrant color ranging from golden to amber and even orange like you've noted. We're happy to look into this batch if you don't mind sending us an email to: [email protected] with some carton information from the packaging. Thank you!
They are dark orang/ red color what is that ? Bad? Just put down the drain (three yolks)
Hi Cat! Thank you for reaching out to us. We completely understand your concerns and hope to assuage them with a brief explanation of yolk color and why it can fluctuate from time to time. Our free-range hens enjoy nutritionally balanced diet that contains ingredients such as corn and soybeans. This is in addition to the insects and greens that they forage for in the pasture on a daily basis. As a result of this diet containing species-appropriate nutrients and plenty of carotenoids (the naturally occurring pigment found in plants like the ones our free-range hens consume in the pasture), our egg yolks tend to have a rich, vibrant color ranging from golden to amber and even orange like you've noted. We're happy to look into this batch if you don't mind sending us an email to: [email protected] with some carton information from the packaging. Thank you!
Will you please tell me the ingredients of the chicken feed you use along with any other supplementation to their free range diet.
Hi Robin, you can find information about our feed on our FAQ page! We're always willing to provide that information as we feel it's important to be transparent with our consumers.
Love the great taste of the eggs, and the rich dark yolk color. I'm used to local eggs that are free range and these are comparable. Keep up the good work!!
Hi Tonyia! Thank you so much for these kind words! We're so glad our eggs have brought you joy.
The dozen I bought last week had much lighter yolks than the rich orange ones that I am accustomed to from Nellies. They still tasted good but I was wondering why the sudden change in color.
Hi Bennett, Our yolks can change from a deep orange to a paler yellow due to a wide variety of reasons. The big driver during the winter months is the weather. Recently, here in the Northeast where some of our farms are located, we experienced a blizzard. This means the hens primarily were inside the barns instead of grazing on the pastures due to the snow pack. Thankfully, we have seen most of the snow melt away, and our girls have been back grazing on the pastures once again!
Above info re color of egg yolk was very interesting as I can remember when I was young and we had our own chickens the yolks were dark as the chickens had a place to eat outside they did not stay inside during the day.
Hi Amelia! We're so happy to hear that you are familiar with free range living. Thanks for taking the time to read our blog!
Last several months, since COVID-19, Nellie's eggs have changed taste for the worse. It has become typical chemical laden junk egg. Hope company can explain what happened and revert to original food stock for their hens.
Hi Ben, we're sorry to hear you've experienced some disappointment with our eggs recently. We can assure you all our hens are still living happy lives with plenty of space on our free range farms, and we've continued to offer them the same 100% vegetarian supplemental feed alongside any bugs, grasses, or flowers they peck and scratch at in our pastures. If you can send us an email at [email protected], we'd love to hear more about your experience with our eggs and see what we can do to help.
My name is John I wanted to know if you feed your hens feed that contains animal by products
HI John. Thanks for reaching out. Per Certified Humane rules, food additives such as antibiotics, hormones, growth promoters and animal byproducts are prohibited. Please let us know if you have any additional questions for us!
Where may I purchase your eggs? Do all the major grocery store carry your ages.
Hi Tina! Thanks for reaching out to us. Yes, you'll find our Nellie's Free Range Eggs in many grocery stores nationwide. We welcome you to check out our egg locator for specific area information: http://fal.cn/33fOw Thanks for reaching out!
How long are Nellies eggs stored before they are put out on a grocery store shelf? Are Nellies eggs safe to eat raw?
Hi Teresa! We would encourage you to check out our other blog post called "Adventure of the Egg." The typical time from nest to table is about 25 days. That is well within what USDA recommends for fresh egg consumption and still leaves plenty of time for you to store in your refrigerator before eating. The 3 digit number printed on the outside of your carton tells you what day of the year the eggs were packaged if you're curious to see at the grocery store. Unfortunately, we cannot officially recommend eating our eggs raw, because they're unpasteurized, but you can pasteurize them in your own kitchen if you so desire. We hope this helps!
Where are the majority of your eggs produced? What states in the USA, or other countries if applicable? Thanks for the great eggs.
Great question, David! You can find a map of our 45 partner farms here: https://www.nelliesfreerange.com/our-hens/free-range-farms.
I discovered what yolks should look like when I went glamping and purchased fresh eggs from the owners of the campsite's gardens section. At first, When I cracked open the first egg, I was shocked at the rich orange color and thought something was wrong, then I thought about it. I can never go back to eggs with pale yellow yolks - I am thankful for the humane treatment and happy environment you provide your hens.
How fun, Ashley! We appreciate your support for local egg farmers and for our hens, too. Most importantly, thank you for voting for humane practices with your dollar.
What a difference in the free range eggs! I’ve known that since I was a little girl, and I am 77 now! All my life I’ve looked for farm eggs and that orange gold yolk. I found it in your eggs!
Hi Judith! We too are glad that you found our eggs. Thanks for supporting our small family farms!
I read that corn helps give yolks a darker color. Do you include corn in your feed mixture?
Great question, Regina. Our supplementary feed is primarily made up of corn and soy, but we find that the high-protein insects and grubs that our free range hens forage for outdoors has a much greater effect on yolk color than other factors. We hope this helps answer your question!
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