If you’ve ever gathered eggs from a backyard flock, you’ve probably noticed that they don’t all look the same. Some are bright white, others are shades of brown, and some hens even surprise you with blue, green, or olive-colored eggs.
It’s easy to assume the color has something to do with what the chickens are eating. It doesn’t.
The color of an eggshell is determined almost entirely by the breed of the hen. It’s one of the most common questions we hear from new chicken owners, and fortunately, the answer is pretty simple.
Every hen starts with a white egg
Here’s something many people don’t know. Every egg begins with a white shell.
As the egg travels through the hen’s reproductive tract, pigments may be added to the shell before it’s laid. Different breeds produce different pigments, which is why egg colors vary so much from one chicken to another.
Think of it as the hen putting the finishing touches on the egg before it reaches the nesting box.
Why some eggs are brown
Brown eggs get their color from pigments that are added during the last stage of shell formation.
Breeds like Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, Buff Orpingtons, and Australorps are well known for laying brown eggs. The exact shade can vary from light tan to a rich chocolate brown, even among hens of the same breed.
You may even notice the color changing slightly throughout the year as a hen ages or goes through different laying cycles.
Where blue and green eggs come from
Blue eggs have become especially popular with backyard chicken owners.
Breeds like Ameraucanas and Cream Legbars naturally lay blue eggs because of their genetics. Green eggs are typically produced by breeds like Easter Eggers or Olive Eggers, where blue shell genetics combine with brown pigments.
Those colorful eggs may look unusual in the carton, but inside they’re just like any other fresh egg.
Does shell color change the taste?
These are probably the biggest myths surrounding eggs.
- Brown eggs don’t taste better than white eggs.
- Blue eggs aren’t healthier than brown eggs.
- Green eggs don’t contain more nutrients.
- The shell color has no meaningful effect on taste or nutrition.
What does make a difference is the hen herself. A healthy chicken that’s fed a balanced diet and cared for properly will produce high-quality eggs, regardless of their shell color.
Freshness also plays a big role. Eggs collected from your own backyard flock often taste better simply because they’re fresher than eggs that have spent days traveling through the supply chain.
Choosing hens for your flock
When people are building a backyard flock, many choose breeds based on the egg basket they want to collect.
If you enjoy gathering eggs in several different colors, there’s nothing wrong with mixing breeds. A flock with white, brown, blue, and green egg layers creates a beautiful variety without changing the quality of the eggs themselves.
Of course, egg color shouldn’t be the only factor when choosing chickens. Consider temperament, climate tolerance, egg production, and the amount of space you have available. The best breed for your family is the one that fits your goals, not just your favorite shell color.
Healthy hens lay better eggs
No matter what color eggs your chickens produce, good nutrition is what helps them perform their best.
Providing a complete layer feed with the right balance of protein, vitamins, minerals, and calcium supports strong eggshells and consistent egg production throughout the laying season.
If you’re not sure which feed is right for your flock, we’re always happy to help.
Color is fun. Quality comes from care.
White, brown, blue, green, or olive, every egg starts the same way. The difference is simply the breed of the hen laying it.
If you’re raising backyard chickens or thinking about adding new layers to your flock, stop by Johnson Feed. We carry quality poultry feeds and supplies, and we’re always glad to answer questions about breeds, nutrition, and keeping your hens healthy year-round.
