Why Do Chickens Lay Different Egg Colors?
May 13, 2025 • Egg Facts • 6 minute read
Not all eggs are created equal. Some are white, others brown, and a few are shades of blue or even green. This variety often surprises new chicken keepers. In this article, we explore why chickens lay eggs in different colors, what it means, and which breeds produce which shades.
A Colorful Surprise Inside the Coop
Opening a nesting box to find eggs in multiple colors is a small joy for many chicken keepers. But where do these differences come from? It turns out egg color is more than just skin deep.
The color of a chicken’s egg is determined by genetics and is specific to each breed. While the interior of the egg is the same, the shell can vary in shade depending on pigments deposited during the laying process.
Understanding egg color helps identify the laying breed and adds a fun, visual variety to your daily egg collection.
What Influences Egg Shell Color
Eggshell color comes from two main pigments: protoporphyrin and oocyanin. Brown eggs get their color from protoporphyrin, which is derived from hemoglobin. Blue eggs get their tint from oocyanin, which originates in the bile.
These pigments are applied to the eggshell as it moves through the hen’s oviduct. The timing and combination of pigments create a wide range of shades.
Common Egg Colors and the Breeds Behind Them
White eggs are most commonly laid by breeds such as Leghorns. These eggs have no pigment on the shell and appear bright and clean.
Brown eggs are typical of Rhode Island Reds, Orpingtons, and Marans. The depth of color can vary depending on the hen and her diet.
Blue or green eggs come from breeds like Araucana, Ameraucana, and Easter Egger. In green eggs, the blue pigment is applied first, followed by a layer of brown pigment that changes the hue.
Does Egg Color Affect Nutrition or Taste?
Despite popular belief, the shell color has no effect on the taste, nutritional value, or quality of the egg. What does matter more is the hen’s diet, health, and environment.
Brown, white, and blue eggs all contain the same essential nutrients. Any difference in yolk richness or flavor is due to what the chicken eats, not the shell.
Unique Colors and Rare Egg Layers
Some breeds lay particularly striking or unusual egg colors. Marans are known for their dark chocolate-brown eggs, while Olive Eggers produce rich green shades.
Breeders often cross specific lines to achieve rare egg colors. These eggs are especially popular in backyard flocks and farmer’s markets for their novelty.
While the color itself is purely cosmetic, it makes collecting eggs more exciting and adds personality to a flock.
If you're starting your own flock, consider mixing breeds to enjoy a colorful basket of eggs each week.
Closing Thoughts
Egg color is one of the many fascinating results of chicken genetics. Each breed has its own unique traits, and eggshell shade is just one way those traits are expressed.
Next time you collect eggs, take a moment to appreciate the natural beauty of their colors. They are not just food, but a reflection of the birds that laid them.
