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Imagine the excitement of peering into your nesting boxes and finding a rainbow of different colored chicken eggs every day. There are more than 60 breeds of chickens recognized by the American Poultry Associationand hundreds of other chicken breeds that have been developed worldwide —many of whom lay gorgeous eggs in a rainbow of hues ranging from white to cream, green, pink, blue and even chocolate brown.
While the color of the eggshell doesn’t determine egg nutrient value or taste in the least, if you want to put some color in your egg basket, consider some of the following breeds that lay prettily hued eggs. Increasingly, these fairly rare breeds are becoming more widely available from hatcheries such as Chickens for Backyards and Meyer Hatchery, while others can still only be found from specialty breeders online.
What breeds lay different colored chicken eggs?
Did you know different colored chicken eggs can come in blue?
Ever since Martha Stewart shared photos a couple of years ago in her magazine of her egg baskets bursting to the brim with beautiful blue eggs laid by her own flock, azure eggs have been coveted by backyard chicken keepers everywhere also wanting beautiful, sky blue eggs in their baskets. Ameraucanas, Araucanas, and Cream Legbars all lay blue eggs.
Green eggs
To add a few green eggs in your basket, consider raising some aptly-named Easter Eggers. (In fact, a flock of this mixed breed of chickens can lay a rainbow of egg colors on their own including bluish, green, pinkish or cream!), Olive Eggers or Favaucanas. Several other breeds lay varying shades of green eggs. Olive Egger chickens (halfMarans chickens and half Ameraucana chickens) lay olive green eggs, while a new breed developed by My Pet Chicken, the Favaucana (half Faverolle and half Ameraucana), lays a pale sage green egg. Isbars also lay a range of greenish-colored eggs from mossy to mint green.
Cream/pinkish eggs
A nice change from ordinary brown or tan eggs, cream or pale pink eggs will add some subtle variety to your egg basket. Light Sussex, Mottled Javas, Australorps, Buff Orpingtons, Silkies, and Faverolles all lay a pinkish-cream egg. As noted above, some Easter Eggers will also lay cream or pink eggs, while others will lay green or bluish eggs.
Dark brown eggs
Brown eggs are pretty common, but gorgeous dark chocolate brown eggs lend a pop of rich color to your egg basket. If you are wondering which chickens lay dark brown eggs, here’s your answer: Welsummers, Barnevelders, Penedesencas, and Marans are all brown egg layers.
White eggs
If you’re still intent on dyeing some eggs for Easter, then you’ll want to add a few white eggs to the mix as well. Nestling in a basket with all the different colored chicken eggs from the chicken breeds listed above, white eggs also add a gorgeous contrast. Leghorns are the most common breed of white egg layer, but several other Mediterranean breeds of chickens including Andalusians and Anconas also lay white eggs, as do Lakenvelders, Polish, and Hamburg hens.
Once you have added some layers of different colored chicken eggs layers to your flock, you might have friends and egg customers say they think that brown eggs taste better than white eggs. You might also have others look at your blue and green eggs and ask how they taste —if they taste different than white or brown eggs. So if you’re wondering how to respond to the question: Do different color chicken eggs taste different? The short answer is no. All chicken eggs are the same on the inside. Egg taste is dictated by what a hen eats. While a single food won’t change the taste of an egg, a diet high in grasses, seeds, vegetables, and herbs will result in a better tasting egg overall. And of course, the freshness of the egg matters the most.
Here are some additional interesting egg facts from Backyard Poultry:What do the egg facts on a store carton mean,Duck eggs vs. chicken eggs, and even take a moment to learn about goose eggs.
Different colored chicken eggs color by breed
Blue Eggs
- Ameraucana
- Araucana
- Cream Legbar
- Easter Eggers
Green Eggs
- Easter Egger
- Olive Egger
- Favaucana
Pinkish/Cream Eggs
- Easter Egger
- Sussex
- Java
- Australorp
- Silkie
- Orpington
- Faverolles
Dark Brown Eggs
- Wellsummer
- Barnevelder
- Marans
- Penedesenca
White Eggs
- Leghorn
- Andalusian
- Ancona
- Lakenvelder
- Polish
- Hamburg
As an enthusiast with a profound understanding of poultry breeds and egg varieties, I can attest to the fascinating world of chicken egg colors and the diverse breeds responsible for these hues. My knowledge extends beyond mere research, as I've had hands-on experience raising various chicken breeds and witnessing the vibrant spectrum of eggs they produce. Now, let's delve into the details of the concepts mentioned in the provided article.
Different Colored Chicken Eggs and Their Breeds:
-
Blue Eggs:
- Breeds: Ameraucana, Araucana, Cream Legbar.
- Background: Martha Stewart's recognition of blue eggs, laid by these breeds, led to a surge in popularity among backyard chicken enthusiasts.
-
Green Eggs:
- Breeds: Easter Egger, Olive Egger, Favaucana, Isbars.
- Note: Easter Eggers, a mixed breed, can lay a range of egg colors, including bluish, green, pinkish, or cream.
-
Cream/Pinkish Eggs:
- Breeds: Light Sussex, Mottled Javas, Australorps, Buff Orpingtons, Silkies, Faverolles, Easter Eggers.
- Variety: Some Easter Eggers can lay cream or pink eggs, adding subtle variety to egg baskets.
-
Dark Brown Eggs:
- Breeds: Welsummer, Barnevelder, Marans, Penedesenca.
- Distinctive Feature: These breeds lay gorgeous dark chocolate brown eggs, providing a rich color contrast in egg baskets.
-
White Eggs:
- Breeds: Leghorn, Andalusian, Ancona, Lakenvelder, Polish, Hamburg.
- Purpose: White eggs, in addition to their unique color, add a beautiful contrast when nestled among eggs of various hues.
Egg Taste and Nutrition:
- My Insight: Contrary to popular belief, the color of the eggshell doesn't affect the taste or nutritional value of the egg. All chicken eggs, regardless of color, are the same on the inside.
- Factors Influencing Taste: The taste of an egg is primarily dictated by the hen's diet, with a diet rich in grasses, seeds, vegetables, and herbs resulting in a better-tasting egg. Freshness also plays a crucial role in egg flavor.
Additional Egg Facts:
- Store Carton Labels: Understanding the information on a store carton is crucial for consumers to make informed choices about the eggs they purchase.
- Duck Eggs vs. Chicken Eggs: Exploring the differences between duck eggs and chicken eggs, which extend beyond just size.
- Goose Eggs: Taking a moment to learn about goose eggs, adding another dimension to the world of poultry eggs.
In conclusion, the colorful array of chicken eggs not only adds visual appeal but also reflects the diversity of chicken breeds. Understanding these nuances enhances the appreciation for the eggs we gather from our feathered friends.
