Why Do Chicken Eggs Have Different Colors?
If you’ve ever opened a carton of farm-fresh eggs and marveled at the rainbow of shells, you’re not alone. From deep chocolate browns to soft blues and greens, chicken eggs come in a surprising variety of colors. But what causes these beautiful differences? The answer lies in genetics, breed-specific pigments, and a bit of natural artistry.
The Science Behind Egg Colors
Every chicken egg starts out white. The final color is determined in the shell gland of the hen, where pigments are deposited just before the egg is laid.
- Protoporphyrin is the pigment responsible for brown shades. It’s applied to the egg’s surface late in the laying process, which is why brown pigment is only found on the outer shell.
- Oocyanin, on the other hand, creates blue hues and is deposited early—resulting in eggs that are blue both inside and out.
- When both pigments are present, the result is a green egg, created by layering brown over blue.
Popular Chicken Breeds and Their Egg Colors
Different chicken breeds naturally produce different colored eggs, depending on their genetic makeup:
- White Eggs – Laid by breeds such as Leghorn, Polish, and Andalusian.
- Brown Eggs – Commonly laid by Rhode Island Red, Sussex, and Marans (which can lay deep chocolate brown eggs).
- Blue Eggs – Produced by Ameraucana and Araucana breeds.
- Green Eggs – A mix of blue and brown pigments, laid by Easter Eggers and Olive Eggers.
- Speckled Eggs – Welsummer and Penedesenca hens often lay beautifully speckled eggs.
Fun Egg Facts
- All eggs begin white — the color is purely a surface pigment added before laying.
- Blue eggs are blue all the way through, unlike brown eggs which are only pigmented on the outside.
- Egg color doesn’t affect taste or nutrition — the hen’s diet and lifestyle play a bigger role in flavor and quality.
A Basket of Natural Beauty
Whether you’re collecting fresh eggs from your backyard coop or picking up a dozen from a local market, colorful eggs are a natural wonder. Each hue tells a story of the hen who laid it, adding charm and character to every carton. So next time you crack an egg, take a moment to appreciate the rainbow of nature — it’s more than just breakfast; it’s biology in action.
