At the last Junior Farmer class, we were talking about eggs and one of the girls asked why the eggs were different colors.
I have egg colors ranging from light pink, to dark pink, brown, olive green, blue, teal, and gray.
Maybe you have wondered the same thing.
Beautiful colors, but how does that happen?
Simple answer is that the breed of the hen determines the color of the egg.
Fun fact, ALL eggs start off white. The genetics of the bird determine the pigment color that is deposited on the egg.
Ameraucana birds (blue egg layers) have a pigment that permeates the egg shell resulting in the interior and exterior of the egg being the same blue color.
Chickens that lay brown tinted eggs deposit the pigment on the eggs late in the process of forming the shell. The pigment therefore does not penetrate the interior of the egg, but tints only the surface of the egg, which is why brown eggs are white on the interior.
Olive eggers lay the brown pigment on top of the blue pigment. This is why the interior of the shell is blue and the exterior is green. The darker the brown pigment the more olive color of the resulting egg.
Another fun fact……. If the egg is stationary at the time that it comes in contact with the pigment, it’ll be spotted. If the egg is in motion, it will be streaked.
No matter the breed of chicken, they all lay a protective covering on the egg called a bloom. This bloom is clear but sometimes is laid thicker and will slightly alter the tint of the egg. It protects the egg from bacteria and fungus. This is why you can leave you eggs out on the counter at room temperature and they don’t go bad.
So what breeds lay which colors?
Blue or Green eggs- Easter eggers (crossbreed)
Blue eggs- Araucana, Ameraucana, Cream Legbar (crossbreed)
Pink eggs (some strains within a breed are known to lay pinkish colored eggs)- Favorelle, Australorp, Sussex, Langshan
Last fun fact of the day……..Earlobes can help determine what color your chicken’s eggs might be. They are an indication of the hen’s natural pigment. Chickens with white earlobes will usually lay white eggs. Hens with red ear lobes will usually lay brown eggs. There are exceptions to this rule though, so be aware that it isn’t a chicken egg laying natural law.
Need some eggs? I would love to help ya out. I almost always have come colorful, nutritious eggs on hand. Text me at 409-749-0184 to come pick some up
