Going to the store and buying eggs is so passé, backyard micro farms is where it’s at. Those living out in the country have always known the benefits of raising your own brood for the freshest of eggs. Due to current economic circumstances the practice of micro farming is gaining momentum, even among people that would never have thought of themselves as a “farmer”.
For my own journey to an 18 head flock, I was not going to be content going the normal route. Going down to the local farm supply or co-op store and buying a dozen of the same type of bird and call it a day, was never going to cut it. As an eccentric myself I wanted my egg basket and breakfast plate to not only taste great, but present in fantastic fashion. The thought of dozens of “store bought” white eggs, or even brown “farm” eggs just seemed like such a boring proposition. There is a whole world of different breeds of chickens, some of them having special abilities to lay eggs in colors that would amaze you. Imagine the first time I told a friend that I was going to gift them a basket of my hens best work. The reply was an un-enthusiastic thanks, you saved me $8.00 for the week. Then when presented with a basket of the freshest most diverse eggs they have ever seen, they were blown away by the artisanal quality and uniqueness of the basket. My friend could not believe that an egg could be so blue, or green or even a dark red, rich chocolate brown.
When someone collects different colored chicken eggs to arrange them in baskets, it is often referred to as “egg collecting” or “egg gathering”. They may also engage in “egg curation” or “egg display” to showcase the variety of colors and sizes of the eggs they have collected.
Chicken eggs can vary in color, size, and shape based on the breed of chicken laying them. The most common colors of chicken eggs are white and brown, but there are also blue, green, olive, and speckled eggs. Additionally, the size of eggs can vary from small to extra-large. So, there is a wide variety of chicken egg characteristics based on the breed of chicken that lays them.
The color of a chicken’s eggshell is determined by the genetics of the hen. Different breeds of chickens have different pigments deposited on the eggshell as it is forming in the hen’s oviduct. For example, breeds like Ameraucanas and Araucanas lay blue or green eggs due to a pigment called oocyanin. Brown eggs are the result of a pigment called protoporphyrin.
Here are some common chicken breeds and the colors of eggs they typically lay:
- Ameraucana and Araucana: Blue or green eggs
- Marans: Dark brown eggs
- Barred Plymouth Rock: Brown eggs
- Rhode Island Red: Brown eggs
- Leghorn: White eggs
- Welsummer: Dark speckled eggs
- Easter Egger: Can lay a variety of colors including blue, green, pink, or brown
- Olive Egger: Olive green eggs
Plus, each individual chicken within a breed may vary slightly in the exact shade of egg color they produce.
Some of my personal favorites, Marans chickens are known for laying chocolate-colored eggs. The Marans breed typically lays eggs with dark brown shells, often described as chocolate-colored. These eggs have a rich, deep hue that sets them apart from the more common light or dark brown eggs.
Different colored chicken eggs, such as blue, green, or speckled eggs, make great choices for Easter because they add variety and visual appeal to Easter egg displays and decorations. Using eggs of various colors can make Easter activities more vibrant and engaging, allowing for creative and colorful designs when dyeing or decorating the eggs. Additionally, the unique colors can add an element of surprise and novelty to Easter egg hunts and festivities.
Even though each breed has the capability of producing different colored eggs. I can also contribute and enhance the color of my flock’s eggs. Just by adjusting the diet of the chickens, I can naturally enhance for color and taste. For example, feeding them foods rich in natural pigments like marigold petals, alfalfa, or certain vegetables can sometimes intensify the color of the eggshells. I tell my friends that the reason my eggs taste better than store bought eggs, is because of the variety of food that I feed my flock. While store-bought eggs are fed a steady diet of chicken feed, I use a natural approach with my birds. Chicken are omnivores and are happiest eating everything from fruits and vegetables all the way to raw meats and fish. My flock’s two favorite treats are tuna and watermelon, we call it the flock crack. Having such a diverse diet means that the eggs can contain 3 to 4 times the amount of vitamin D you would find in conventionally raised hens. With shells thicker and stronger than what you would find in the store.
In general, most home backyard chicken eggs often taste better than store-bought eggs due to several factors:
- Freshness: Backyard eggs are typically fresher since they are collected directly from the coop, whereas store-bought eggs may have been stored for longer periods before reaching the shelves.
- Diet: Backyard chickens may have a more varied diet, including insects, grass, and kitchen scraps, which can impact the flavor of the eggs. Store-bought eggs might come from chickens fed a standard commercial diet.
- Stress levels: Backyard chickens may experience less stress compared to commercial egg-laying hens, which can affect the quality and taste of the eggs they produce.
- Breed: Some backyard chicken breeds are known for producing eggs with rich yolks and flavorful taste, contributing to the perception that home-raised eggs taste better.
You basically control the environment, diet and breed which can result in better more colorful eggs. Egg farms will only use chicken breeds that are known for producing large quantities of eggs. Where some of my hens may only produce three eggs a week. For a large farm this would not fly, but for me I am delighted by each pink or lavender egg.
I want to dispel internet myth; chickens do not naturally lay black eggs. If you come across a black egg, it is likely the result of a rare occurrence, such as the egg being painted or dyed, rather than a natural eggshell color produced by a chicken. Even the Ayam Cemani a breed of chicken known for having black feathers, black skin, black comb, wattles, and even black internal organs. They are striking birds with a unique appearance, and their black coloration is due to a genetic condition called fibromelanosis, which causes hyperpigmentation. But even they do not lay black eggs, they are cream colored.
The closest you can get to a black egg is going to be from a Cayuga duck. Cayuga ducks are known for their beautiful iridescent green-black plumage. Cayuga duck eggs typically range in color from dark gray to black, but they are more commonly described as a dark gray or charcoal color. The color of Cayuga duck eggs is unique and can vary slightly among individual ducks, but they are not truly black. They are the only domestic duck breed to lay eggs that color. All the other duck breeds lay either white or cream-colored eggs or greenish-blue eggs. Now you are probably asking if you can eat duck eggs? Yes, you can, and duck eggs taste a lot like chicken eggs, only richer and creamier. Comparing the taste of chicken and duck eggs is a lot like comparing skim milk and whole milk – they’re basically the same, but one is far more rich, luscious, and creamy.
You can purchase different breeds of chickens that produce eggs of various colors from a variety of sources. Many hatcheries specialize in selling a wide range of chicken breeds. You can order chicks online or through catalogs from reputable hatcheries. Local farms or breeders Some local farms or breeders may have specific breeds of chickens available for sale, including those known for their egg colors. Attending poultry shows, fairs, or auctions can be a great way to find different chicken breeds. Websites like Facebook Marketplace, or specific poultry forums often have listings for different chicken breeds available for purchase.
Some farm supply stores, or specialty poultry stores may carry chickens during specific times of the year. When purchasing chickens, it’s essential to do thorough research on the breed, ensure you are buying from a reputable source, and consider factors like climate compatibility, space requirements, and any specific care needs of the breed. Also realize that while genetics is a science, if you are buying chicks, you are not guaranteed a specific color. There are some instances where a breed that normally lays blue eggs, one in five will lay a different color.
The color of a chicken egg is determined by the breed of the chicken and genetics. No matter the color or size, there is not a significantly affect in its taste or nutritional value. While different colored eggs offer slight variations in appearance, they all provide essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals. Studies have shown that eggs from free-range or pasture-raised chickens may have higher levels of certain nutrients compared to eggs from chickens raised in conventional cages. Whether you prefer white, brown, blue, green, or speckled eggs it is my belief that you can’t go wrong Shell-Abrating Diversity.
A humble homesteader based in an undisclosed location, Lars Drecker splits his time between tending his little slice of self-sustaining heaven, and bothering his neighbors to do his work for him. This is mainly the fault of a debilitating predilection for fishing, hunting, camping and all other things outdoors. When not engaged in any of the above activities, you can normally find him broken down on the side of the road, in some piece of junk he just “fixed-up.”
