Have you ever noticed how bright and orange our egg yolks are? It’s one of the things people ask us about the most, so we thought we’d share what goes into making those rich, vibrant yolks.
Our chickens spend their days outside on pasture, where they can roam, scratch, and forage. We move their coop and fencing regularly so they always have fresh grass covered to explore. They snack on a mix of plants, wildflowers, and their favorite treat—bugs. Chickens aren’t herbivores, so bugs can be part of their natural diet and contribute to the deep color of their yolks.
Even in the winter months, when cold temperatures slow grass growth, we ensure our chickens still have access to natural forage. We “stockpile” feed by leaving sections of our pasture with longer grasses, so there’s always something for them to peck at year-round. This commitment to providing consistent, high-quality forage helps keep their diet diverse and nutrient-rich.
In addition to pasture, our chickens are fed a Non-GMO Verified grain ration sourced from Resaca Sun Products in Georgia. Some of the ingredients in Resaca’s feed are produced using an expeller press method, which ensures the highest quality oils and meals. Unlike chemical solvent extraction methods that use the poisonous chemical hexane, the expeller press process applies friction and heavy pressure to separate the oil from seeds naturally. This clean, solvent-free method preserves the purity and nutritional value of the grain, providing our chickens with a safe and wholesome feed.
The bright orange yolks you see in our eggs come from the carotenoids in their diet, whether it’s from the plants they peck at, the bugs they catch, or the high-quality grains they eat. These nutrients not only give the yolks their vibrant color but also make them rich and flavorful.
Pasture-raised chicken and eggs aren’t just delicious—they’re more nutritious, too. Studies show they have higher nutrient densities than non-pasture-raised options, particularly in Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamins A, D, and E. This is another benefit of letting chickens live and eat the way nature intended.
You might have seen egg cartons labeled "vegetarian-fed" in the store. While it might sound nice, it typically means those chickens don’t get to forage outside—they’re kept in barns with no access to their natural diet of bugs and greens. That’s why we’re committed to raising our chickens on pasture, where they can live as nature intended.
So, when you crack open one of our eggs and see that vibrant yolk, it’s a reflection of the care we put into our chickens, the quality of their diet, and the benefits of a pasture-raised system. Thanks for choosing eggs from Meadowdale Farm and supporting pasture-based farming. Your breakfast just got a little brighter—and healthier!
