🥚 Black Egg Yolks? Here's What’s Wrong + 7 Habits to Drop Fast

NOTICE: Formerly known as The Steady Homestead, we’ve rebranded to The Homestead Movement! Same great content, just a fresh new name. 😊 

IN TODAY'S EDITION

1. Homestead Tip 🌱

2. Poll Results From Last Thursday 📊

3. All Things Homestead: What’s Up With Black Egg Yolks? A Homesteader’s Guide to Strange Eggs 🥚

4. Personal Development: 7 Negative Habits to Weed Out This Season 🌱

5. Today's Top Picks 🛍️

6. Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Subscribe to 1440 today.

POLL RESULTS FROM LAST THURSDAY

What's your favorite time to get chores done?

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Sunrise (peace and quiet)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Mid-morning (after coffee!)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Late afternoon (cooler temps)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Evenings (wind-down time)

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ I spread chores out all day

via @beehiiv polls

Feel free to participate in fun polls in our next newsletters! 😉

Also, follow us on our social media accounts for daily homesteading inspiration and updates.

ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD

🥚 What’s Up With Black Egg Yolks? A Homesteader’s Guide to Strange Eggs

You crack open a fresh egg and there it is… a black or dark green yolk staring back at you. First thought? “Is this safe to eat?” Second thought? “What in the world caused this?”

Many backyard chicken keepers have seen this and wondered what went wrong. Let’s clear up the mystery of black yolks so you know what to do, and how to keep your flock healthy.

First Things First: Is It Safe to Eat?

• Black or dark yolks are usually a sign of spoilage: If the yolk is black, greenish, or has a foul smell, it’s not safe to eat. Toss it out right away.

• Trust your senses: If it smells off, looks strange, or feels slimy, don’t take chances. It’s better to waste one egg than risk food poisoning.

What Causes a Black Egg Yolk?

1. Spoiled eggs from being stored too long: Eggs left unrefrigerated or kept in damp conditions for too long can rot from the inside.

2. Bacteria entering through a cracked shell: Even a hairline crack can let bacteria in. Once inside, the yolk can turn dark or black as it decomposes.

3. Eggs buried or hidden by hens: Sometimes hens lay eggs in hidden nests outside the coop. By the time you find them, they may look fine, but they’ve spoiled inside.

4. Heat and humidity: Warm temps, especially in summer, speed up spoilage. Even if the shell looks clean, the inside may be breaking down.

What About Green Yolks in Cooked Eggs?

This is a little different. If you boil eggs too long or at too high a temperature, the yolk can turn green-gray.

• This green ring is from a reaction between iron and sulfur: It’s not harmful, it just means the eggs were overcooked. Lower the heat and use a timer next time.

• To avoid this, boil eggs gently and cool them fast: A 10-minute simmer followed by an ice bath helps keep the yolk yellow and tender.

How to Prevent Spoiled or Rotten Eggs

1. Collect eggs at least once a day.
   In warm weather, gather them twice. Eggs spoil fast in heat, especially if the nest box is damp.

2. Inspect shells before storing.
   Look for cracks, odd smells, or stains. A cracked egg should be tossed or used immediately if fresh.

3. Store eggs in a cool, dry place.
   If you don’t refrigerate, keep them away from sunlight and use the oldest ones first.

4. Mark the date on each egg.
   A pencil mark helps you rotate your supply and avoid long-forgotten eggs.

5. Keep nests clean and dry.
   Dirty straw and wet bedding lead to dirty shells and hidden bacteria. Change bedding often, especially in rainy seasons.

Pro Tip: How to Check Egg Freshness

Not sure how old your eggs are? Try this quick test using just a bowl of water.

• Fill a bowl with cold water: Gently place the egg inside.

• If it sinks and lays flat, it’s fresh: If it stands upright or floats, it’s gone bad or on the edge. Use with caution or discard.

What This Means for Flock Health

• Black yolks usually come from egg handling, not hen health: But if you’re finding spoiled eggs often, it might mean a hidden nest, poor coop hygiene, or a cracked egg problem.

• Do a quick check of nest boxes, bedding, and egg collection habits: Making a few small changes can stop black yolks from showing up again.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

🌱 7 Negative Habits to Weed Out This Season

Some thoughts sneak in quietly. Others show up loud and heavy. But they all have something in common… they steal peace, joy, and energy from your days.

Here are 7 types of negativity that tend to grow wild if left alone. And just like weeds in a spring garden, the sooner you pull them out, the better everything else grows.

1. Perfectionism

Chasing perfection can look like hard work, but it's really just fear in disguise.

• Perfectionism tells people they’re never good enough.
  It leads to burnout, comparison, and second-guessing every little move.

• Instead, aim for progress, not perfect.
  Get the job done well enough, and move on. Home life isn’t about shiny finishes. It’s about honest effort.

2. Harsh Judgment (Toward Yourself and Others)

Picking yourself apart? Picking at others? That’s judgment, which is another form of fear trying to look smart.

• Judgment focuses only on what’s wrong.
  It ignores all the ways people (and projects) are doing their best.

• Try noticing small wins.
  Start with, “I did my best today,” and extend the same grace to others. That’s where real connection begins.

3. Self-Doubt

Self-doubt grows when people wait for permission or perfect conditions before starting something new.

• It tells people they’re not capable or ready.
  Then it stalls their plans before they ever get a chance.

• Kill it by doing the thing anyway.
  Take the first small step. Bake the bread. Apply for the job. Plant the seeds, even if it’s your first time.

4. Assuming the Worst

When minds jump to the worst-case scenario, it becomes hard to hope or plan with joy.

• This habit steals today’s peace and tomorrow’s possibilities.
  It says, “Why bother?” before folks even try.

• Instead, practice expecting good.
  Not because bad things never happen, but because hope is what keeps people moving forward.

5. Worry

Worry tricks people into thinking they’re doing something helpful, but it only drains energy.

• Worry doesn’t fix problems.
  It just makes sleep harder, tempers shorter, and hearts heavier.

• Set a boundary with your thoughts.
  When worry shows up, name it, then shift to action. Ask: “What can I do today?” Even a tiny task helps quiet the noise.

6. Complaining

Complaining can feel like venting, but if it becomes a habit, it rewires minds to see only the bad.

• It keeps people stuck in problems instead of solving them.
  Over time, it also spreads to those around them.

• Start by noticing your own words.
  If something feels hard, try saying, “This is tough, but I’m learning.” That shift makes room for solutions.

7. Trying to Control Everything

This one wears a mask of responsibility, but really it’s about fear of the unknown.

• People can plan, prepare, and try their best, but can’t control everything.
  Animals get sick. Weather changes plans. Kids spill milk.

• Let go a little.
  When things don’t go as expected, remind yourself: “It’s okay to pivot.” Flexibility is a homesteader’s best friend.

THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER

How do seedlings throw a party in May?

They really turnip the beat!

TODAY'S TOP PICKS

LET’S KEEP IT REEL!

I've put together some fantastic farm videos that are sure to make you laugh. Take a look and enjoy the fun!

1. If you’ve never seen a wet Polish chicken before… well, you’re in for a treat:

@dareacres

Fran’s mop top was all froze up and she got pooped on huddling under the roost because she couldnt see , so she cand in for a bath. A wet ... See more

2. Fun fact: Plants can have bad hair days too!

@botanicallyinsane

Whoops. 😅 Follow for more unserious plant care! 🫶🏻 . . . #portulacariaafra #elephantbush #bonsai #succulentlover #bonsailovers #plantsmake... See more

ENGAGE WITH US

Got some amazing homesteading products? Let's team up and spread joy in our community!

Also, care to share any genius ideas for The Steady Home newsletter? Just hit reply and let's get talking!