Many people are surprised to learn that chickens dont just lay white and brown eggs. There are breeds that lay blue eggs, green eggs, dark brown eggs, pink eggs, cream eggs, and off-white eggs. I will answer some common questions in this article, such as: Why do chickens lay different colored eggs? What breeds make a rainbow egg basket? Does the color of the egg shell affect nutrition?
Hey there, folks! Ever wandered through a farmers’ market or even your local grocery store and spotted eggs in all kinda shades—white, brown, heck, even blue or green? I know I have, and I couldn’t help but wonder, why chicken eggs are different colors? Like, what’s the deal with that? Well, I’ve dug into this egg-citing mystery, and I’m here to spill the beans—or should I say, crack the shell—on why these lil’ gems vary in hue.
Spoiler alert: it’s all down to the chicken’s genes. Yup, the breed of the hen decides the color of the egg she pops out. But there’s more to it than just that, and I’m gonna walk ya through the whole shebang with simple, no-fuss explanations. From how the color gets on the shell to which chickens lay what shade, and even bustin’ some myths about egg nutrition, we’ve got a lot to cover. So, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s dive into this colorful world of chicken eggs!
The Big Reason: It’s All in the Genes, Baby!
Alright, let’s get straight to the heart of why chicken eggs are different colors Every egg starts out white—plain as day—cuz the shell is made of calcium carbonate, which is naturally a white crystal. But as that egg makes its journey through the hen’s insides, specifically through a part called the oviduct, some magic happens. Depending on the chicken’s breed, certain pigments get slapped onto that shell, changing its color.
There’s two main pigments at play here:
- Biliverdin (or oocyanin, depending who ya ask): This one’s responsible for the blues and greens. It soaks right into the shell, so if ya crack open a blue egg, it’s blue on the inside too. Pretty wild, right?
- Protoporphyrin: This fella gives us the reddish-brown shades. It’s added late in the game, so it only coats the outside. That’s why brown eggs are white on the inside when ya peek.
So, a hen’s genetic makeup decides which pigment, if any gets added as the egg forms. It’s like nature’s paintbrush and each breed of chicken has its own color palette. I reckon it’s one of those things that just makes ya marvel at how clever nature can be.
How Does the Egg Get Its Color, Anyway?
Now, let’s break this down a bit more, cuz I wanna make sure we’re all on the same page. When a hen’s got an egg brewin’, it starts in her ovaries as a yolk. That yolk then travels through the oviduct, which is like a long tube with different stops along the way. There’s five stages to this trip, and it takes about 24 to 26 hours total for the egg to be ready to, well, hit the nest.
In the fourth stage, in a place called the shell gland, the color magic happens. This is where the shell forms around the egg and starts out white. If the hen’s genes say “add some color,” pigments are put down right here. That color goes deep into the shell of blue or green eggs. For brown ones, it’s more of a quick paint job that was added at the last minute. And if there’s no color at all, you get a plain white egg. Do you not think it looks like the hen has her own little art studio in there?
Chicken Breeds and Their Egg Colors: Who Lays What?
So, now that we know it’s all genetics, let’s talk about which chickens lay which colors of eggs. Years of experience have given me a lot of different breeds to see. It’s interesting how each one has its own unique color. This is a quick list of some popular breeds and the eggs they lay. It’s so short that I put it in a table for easy reading.
| Chicken Breed | Egg Color | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Leghorn | White | These gals are the queens of commercial egg-layin’ in the U.S. |
| Rhode Island Red | Brown | Known for hearty brown eggs, a farmer’s fave. |
| Orpington | Brown | Big, fluffy birds with rich brown shells. |
| Plymouth Rock | Brown | Another brown-egg champ, often speckled. |
| Ameraucana | Blue | These lay eggs blue inside and out—super cool! |
| Araucana | Blue or Blue-Green | Similar to Ameraucana, with a unique tint. |
| Easter Egger | Blue, Green, or Olive | A mix breed, so ya get a surprise color! |
| Maran | Dark Brown | Some call ‘em “chocolate eggs” for the deep hue. |
| Welsummer | Brown (often speckled) | Known for pretty, spotted shells. |
| Olive Egger | Olive Green | A cross between brown and blue layers—gorgeous! |
Here’s a neat trick I picked up from some farmer pals: if ya wanna guess what color egg a hen will lay, peek at her earlobes. No kiddin’! Hens with white earlobes usually lay white eggs, while them with red or darker earlobes tend to lay brown or colored ones. It ain’t foolproof, but it’s a fun little clue to look for next time you’re hangin’ with some chickens.
Busting Myths: Does Color Mean Better Nutrition?
Now, I gotta address somethin’ I hear all the dang time: are brown eggs healthier than white ones? Or do blue eggs got some secret superpowers? Lemme tell ya straight up—nope, they don’t. The color of the shell’s got nothin’ to do with what’s inside. Whether it’s white, brown, green, or blue, the egg’s nutrition is the same. It’s all about protein, vitamins, and them good fats, no matter the outside.
What does make a difference, though, is the hen’s diet and how she’s raised. Hens that roam around, peckin’ at grass and bugs, often lay eggs with a bit more omega-3s and vitamins. So when I’m pickin’ eggs at the store, I don’t fuss over color—I check for labels like “pasture-raised” or “cage-free.” That’s where the real quality comes in, not the shell shade. Don’t let them fancy brown eggs trick ya into thinkin’ they’re more “natural” or some nonsense. It’s just genes, not magic.
Oh, and while we’re on this, shell color don’t affect yolk color neither. Yolk shade comes from what the hen eats. If she’s munchin’ on plants with lotsa yellow-orange pigments, you’ll get a deep orange yolk. If it’s mostly corn or grain, it’ll be paler. Pretty neat how that works, huh?
Fun Egg Facts: Speckles, Double Yolks, and Weird Shapes
Alright, let’s get into some of the weirder stuff about eggs, cuz I know we’ve all seen some oddballs. Ever crack open an egg and find speckles on the shell? Them spots are just extra calcium deposits, kinda like nature’s graffiti. Sometimes it happens if the shell-makin’ process gets a lil’ wonky, or if there’s too much calcium floatin’ around in the hen. Funny enough, some folks say speckled shells can be stronger than plain ones. I ain’t sure I buy that, but it’s a cool thought.
Then there’s double yolks—yep, two yolks in one egg! I’ve had this happen a couple times, and it always feels like winnin’ a lil’ lottery. It’s just a fluke, though. Happens when a hen releases two yolks too quick, and they both end up in the same shell. Usually, younger hens do this more often cuz their systems are still figurin’ things out. Some say it’s good luck, and I ain’t gonna argue with that.
And don’t get me started on weird-shaped eggs. Sometimes it’s long and thin, and other times it’s all lumpy. Sometimes that’s because the hen is very young or very old, or she’s stressed out from the heat or being in a coop with a lot of other birds. It doesn’t change the taste at all, but it looks weird in the carton.
Other Things That Mess with Egg Color
While genes are the big boss of egg color, there’s a few other things that can tweak the shade a bit. Like, as a hen gets older, her brown eggs might get lighter and bigger. It won’t turn a brown egg white or nothin’, but the hue can shift some. Stress can play a part too—if a hen’s dealin’ with disease, hot weather, or too many roommates, it might mess with the egg’s look, includin’ color intensity.
Diet and environment got a role as well, though it’s more about the shell’s quality than the base color. If a hen ain’t gettin’ enough calcium, the shell might not form right, which can make colors look off. I’ve noticed with some backyard hens that little changes in their day-to-day can show up in the eggs. Nature’s just full of surprises, ain’t it?
Why I’m Obsessed with Colorful Eggs
Lemme get personal for a sec. The first time I saw a blue egg, I was at a small farm stand with my buddy, and I swear I thought it was fake. I mean, blue? C’mon! But when the farmer lady told me it was all natural, laid by a specific kinda chicken, I was hooked. I started huntin’ down different colored eggs just to see ‘em all. There’s somethin’ bout havin’ a carton with a rainbow of shells that just makes me smile. It’s like a tiny piece of art in my kitchen.
I’ve even thought about getting my own hens one day. You could wake up to fresh eggs of all different colors, like white from a Leghorn, brown from a Rhode Island Red, and maybe blue or green from an Ameraucana. Every morning would be like Easter! Plus, cooking with eggs you laid yourself is the ultimate in happiness.
Egg Color Around the World
Somethin’ else I find mighty interestin’ is how egg color preferences change dependin’ on where ya are. Here in the States, white eggs used to be the big thing cuz of them Leghorn chickens dominatin’ the industry. But lately, brown eggs are gettin’ more love, prolly cuz folks think they’re more “farm-fresh” or whatever. Over in Europe, I hear brown’s been the go-to for ages. And in some places, ya might find blue or green eggs more common if certain breeds are popular.
It just goes to show how much culture and habit play into what we expect on our plates. I’d love to travel someday and check out local markets, see what kinda eggs they got. Bet there’s some wild colors out there I ain’t even dreamed of yet.
How to Pick Eggs at the Store
If you’re like me and can’t help but stare at all them egg cartons, here’s a lil’ tip for pickin’ the best ones. Like I said earlier, don’t sweat the color—it’s just for looks. Instead, peek at how the hens were raised. Words like “pasture-raised” mean the chickens got to roam and eat natural grub, which can bump up the egg’s nutrients a notch. “Cage-free” is decent too, though it don’t always mean they’re out in the sunshine.
Also, check the date on the carton. Fresher eggs last longer and taste better, in my opinion. And if ya can, buy local. Them eggs from nearby farms often got more character, and sometimes ya get a mix of colors as a bonus. I always feel good supportin’ small farmers, ya know?
Wrappin’ It Up: The Colorful Truth About Eggs
So, there ya have it, the full scoop on why chicken eggs are different colors. It all boils down to the hen’s genetics—her breed decides if she’ll lay white, brown, blue, green, or somethin’ in between, thanks to pigments added as the shell forms. From Leghorns with their classic white eggs to Ameraucanas with them stunnin’ blue ones, it’s a beautiful variety out there. And remember, color don’t mean a lick about nutrition—it’s the hen’s diet and livin’ conditions that count.
Where Do Colored Eggs Come From?
In 1914, Dr. Salvador Castello visited Chile, South America and was presented with a unique chicken breed that laid blue eggs by Dr. Bustos. The chickens were Araucanas. They were derived from Mapuche Fowl-named after the indigenous Mapuche people. The Mapuche Fowl eventually led to three different breeds. Of those three breeds, the Araucana was the one that made its way to North America in the 1940s. The Aruacana is a medium sized bird that is rumpless, has tufts, and lay blue eggs. Ameraucanas are medium-large sized birds that have beards and muffs, tails, and lay blue eggs.
Araucanas can only be purchased from a breeder and are not sold by hatcheries. True Ameraucanas are identified by their slate legs, blue eggs, and specific color patterns. Any chicken that lays blue or green eggs today gets that gene from the original Araucana of South America. Marans chickens were named for the port town Marans in France where they originated in the 13th century. They were bred for extremely dark brown eggs ranging from deep chocolate to almost red-brown in color. The dark brown color is a defining characteristic of the breed. There are some hybrid breeds available today that lay dark brown eggs. Check out the Farm Directory to find poultry breeders near you!.
What Color Eggs Can Chickens Lay?
Depending on the breed, a chicken can lay an egg that is dark brown, light brown, pink, olive, blue, green, white, cream, and any shade in between but why are chicken eggs different colors? Each chicken will lay only one egg color. A hen that lays a white egg one day wont lay a blue egg the next day. Marans hens lay the darkest brown eggs when they begin laying. As they continue production, the eggs gradually become lighter as the hen runs out of pigment. Genetically speaking, there are only two egg colors, blue and white. The blue egg gene is dominant to the white egg gene. Brown eggs are the result of 23 separate genes that interact to create different shades of brown. Brown eggs start as white eggs.
Shortly before being laid, the brown pigment is applied to the egg. The amount of pigment applied affects the final brown color of the egg. Thats why when you crack open a brown egg its white on the inside. Blue eggs are blue on the inside of the shell because the pigment is applied as the eggshell is being developed. Green and olive eggs are just blue eggs with brown pigment applied before laying. Make sure you have enough egg baskets to collect and keep your eggs.
Why do chicken eggs come in different colors? (Does it matter which color you buy?)
FAQ
Why did my chicken lay a different color egg?
Let’s eggs-plore how this happens. Different eggshell colors come from pigments deposited onto the shell as the egg forms in the hen’s oviduct. Apr 1, 2025.
Are brown eggs healthier than white eggs?
No, brown eggs are not inherently healthier than white eggs. The nutritional value of an egg is determined by the hen’s diet and living conditions, not by the color of the shell, according to multiple sources.
Why are chicken eggs so many different colors?
Colors are added to the eggs as they move through the hen’s oviduct, which is why chicken eggs from different breeds hatch in different colors. The pigment depositions are determined by the chicken’s genetics, with some breeds producing rich dark brown eggs, for example, while others lay snow white eggs.
What color egg is healthiest?
People who like brown eggs often do so because they think they are healthier and more natural than white eggs. Any egg, no matter what size, grade, or color it is, is pretty much the same in terms of nutrition ( 2–7). Both brown and white eggs are healthy foods.