Development and Use of Color Standards for Egg Yolks

FOR SOME YEARS poultry scientists have been engaged in nutrition studies on the effects of various grains fed to laying birds. Some of these studies have been concerned with the effect of grain or combinations of grains in determining yolk color. The desired yolk color for home use varies with the geographical location and customs of the people, but in general a fairly light color is preferred. On the other hand users of yolks such as noodle manufacturers and cake bakers pay premium prices for dark colored yolk. It is therefore more profitable for the egg producer if he accurately maintains the yolk color within the desired range for his particular market. Since verbal color descriptions are ambiguous it is necessary to have standards for egg yolk colors in recording and communicating the results of poultry diet research. The only color chart available in Canada was one which had been …