Marigold source?

[John Knight]

I'm trying to find dried marigolds, specifically to make my hens' eggs orange. I understand that French (or African?) Marigolds, tagetes patula, make them orange. Does anyone know whereto buy these dried at a good price? Thank you

 

[Chickassan]

Amazon, definitely Amazon.

 

[John Knight]

Thanks chickassan. I've looked but it looks like they only have officialus, the yellow marigolds. Am I being too ticky trying tyo find the orange ones, do people just use the yellow ones?

 

[Chickassan]

They don't have to be orange, it is the beta carotene that boosts yolk color and often orange marigolds dry to yellow anyway. You could technically use any orangeish veggie to accomplish the results you want if desired. Carrots are very good at boosting color and are not expensive, grate into the food and you get orange yolks.

Thanks chickassan. I've looked but it looks like they only have officialus, the yellow marigolds. Am I being too ticky trying tyo find the orange ones, do people just use the yellow ones?

 

[keesmom]

There are other ways to get a more orangey yolk. More vegetables for instance (kale, spinach, broccoli). Paprika and capsaicin also.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/in-search-of-the-elusive-dark-orange-yolk.1052706/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/yellow-yolks-food-question.1050559/#post-16084771

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Probably won't work for now, but marigolds are super easy to grow. So maybe plant some this spring/early summer. You can deadhead them and save those to dry if needed for later. The flowers will continue to produce through out the season after deadheading (removing spent flowers and seeds).

 

[Cryss]

Lots of veggies,weeds, and bugs and free range. If you can' free range bring the free range goodies to them.

 

[steve232]

As keesom mentioned above paprika works great. I have 21 chickens and each morning I take approximately 2 lbs of their regular food and add 2 tablespoons of paprika (and in the winter I also add a tablespoon of either red pepper flakes or chili powder for some heat) and add enough water to make it into a paste and give it to the chickens. They quickly devour it and it makes some beautiful orange yolks. I get the paprika fairly as well as the pepper or chili powder at Wal Mart. They have it in their own brand in those small bottles of spices for about $1 each. Two bottles of paprika last me a little over a week.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I'm trying to find dried marigolds, specifically to make my hens' eggs orange. I understand that French (or African?) Marigolds, tagetes patula, make them orange. Does anyone know whereto buy these dried at a good price? Thank you

You could try South America. It is my understanding that supposed Organic farmers in either Chili or Peru use dried marigold flowers in their chickens' food to fake free range chicken eggs.

 

[John Knight]

Thank all of you for your help, you're very kind!