Answer :
Final answer:
Cottonseed can lead to darkened egg yolks due to the presence of xanthophylls, which are pigments that hens incorporate into their eggs when they consume a diet containing these substances.
Explanation:
The darkness of egg yolks can be affected by the diet of the hens that produce the eggs. In particular, the presence of xanthophylls, which are a type of pigment found in cottonseed, can lead to darkened egg yolks. Xanthophylls are natural pigments that are also found in leafy greens and certain other vegetables, which can give egg yolks their deep orange or yellow color.
When hens are fed a diet rich in xanthophylls, such as those found in cottonseed meal, these pigments become incorporated into their eggs, resulting in yolks with a darker coloration.
The genotype CCbzbz (no Ds gene) referenced in the question does not directly pertain to the diet's influence on egg yolk color, but rather seems to be a genetic notation for plants producing colored kernels, which could be related to pigment production in plants rather than hens.
