Chicken Eggs
There are as many colors of eggs as there are breeds of chickens. Some are even speckled.
Hint: Nutrition is not changed by the color of the shell.
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The color of a chicken’s eggshell is determined by genetics — specifically by pigments deposited as the egg forms in the hen’s oviduct.
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White eggs have no pigment added to the shell; they’re naturally white calcium carbonate.
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Brown eggs get a pigment called protoporphyrin, while blue or green eggs come from a pigment called oocyanin.
So, white eggs aren’t nutritionally different — they just come from certain breeds.
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Most commercial white eggs come from White Leghorns, they’re very efficient layers.
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Shell color doesn’t affect taste or nutrition — that depends on the hen’s diet and living conditions.
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You can tell what color eggs a hen will lay by her earlobe color — hens with white earlobes usually lay white eggs, while red earlobes usually lay brown eggs (though there are exceptions).
White
The most well known breed that lays white eggs is the white Leghorn.
These birds are not only efficient layers but also adapt well to various climates, making them popular choices for both small farms and commercial egg production!
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Brown Eggs
Rhode Island Red breed of chickens is the most famous for producing brown eggs. The Sussex chicken is known for laying large brown eggs.
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​The Sussex chicken is a versatile and friendly breed, known for its excellent egg-laying capabilities and gentle temperament, making it a favorite for a backyard flock.
Rainbow Eggs
The Araucana breed is notable for its blue or green eggs. This breed ads variety to your egg basket, but they don't lay as frequently as a Rhode Island Red or the Leghorn breeds.
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