Specific Management Challenges - Humane and Healthy Poultry Production - page 58

monly high producers that also have poor feathering on their backs due to picking or nest-box
breakage. The producers have found that the problem can be quickly remedied by moving the
birds indoors. No definitive cause for the loss of pigment only during bright sunny weather has
been found. It has been suggested that the stress combination of bare back exposed to direct
sun is enough to compel the hens to lay eggs before the full amount of pigmentation has been
laid down on the cuticle. The present information on this syndrome is anecdotal, but deserves
further observation and research. 7
Yolk Color
Despite the fact that yolk quality is more important than yolk color, this is the factor by which
consumers often gauge the quality of a free-range organic egg after cracking it. Yolk color is
formed by carotenoid pigments that occur in green plant material and corn. The most effective
carotenoids are lutein and zeaxanthen that are commonly found in dark leafy vegetables. 8
While a free-range bird on pasture will most likely ingest just enough plant material to color
the yolks, it is not wise to force a lot of greens on hens. A high intake of green plant material
may give a slight khaki color to the yolk and possibly even greenish-yellow tint to the albumin.
Various plants such as shepherd's purse give a slight olive color to the yolk. 9
Laying hens on pasture or other managed forage will most likely maintain a good yolk col-
or during the growing season. To continue this yolk quality into the winter, many producers of-
fer supplements such as green-leafy alfalfa, sprouted oats, dried comfrey, or free-choice whole
corn. Many semi-confinement organic operations, such as The Country Hen in Hubbardston,
Massachusetts, include ingredients like marigold flowers in their feed ration. 10 Marigolds con-
tain lutein and not only enhance egg-yolk color but offer some health benefits for the consumer
as well.
Organic Turkey Management Issues
Organic turkey raising can be successful when done right. Pennsylvania alone produced 70,000
certified organic turkeys in 2001. 11 Turkeys thrive in low-stress, free-range environments
when they can be properly protected from predators and inclement weather. Even the standard
broad-breasted white turkeys forage aggressively and range efficiently. The key problem for
small farmers is growing turkeys and chickens on the same land. Most small organic farms are
quite diverse and raise a variety of poultry. In my survey of small Northeast growers one-third