Pale Yellow Yolk A light-colored yolk usually means the hen was fed a diet low in pigments, mainly consisting of wheat, barley, or white cornmeal.
Bright Golden-Yellow Yolk This common yolk color suggests a balanced diet with moderate amounts of carotenoids from grains, grass, and vegetables.
Deep Orange Yolk Hens that eat a nutrient-rich diet, including alfalfa, marigold petals
Dark Reddish-Yolk Rare but possible, a reddish yolk comes from a diet high in carotenoids, often from free-range hens with access to insects and colorful plants.
Greenish or Grayish Yolk This is usually a result of overcooking, causing sulfur and iron to react in the egg, but it can also be linked to certain feed additives.
Blood Spots in Yolk While not harmful, tiny red or brown specks inside the yolk occur when a blood vessel in the hen’s ovary breaks during egg formation.
Cloudy Egg Whites with Dark Yolk This means the egg is fresh! The cloudy white is due to high carbon dioxide levels, while a darker yolk signals a nutrient-rich diet.
Why Darker Yolks Are Often Preferred Richer-colored yolks tend to have a more robust flavor and higher nutrient content, including more vitamin A, lutein, and healthy fats.