¡Rosas, azules o verdes!

If you like a basket of multicolored eggs: brown, white, green? Here are the chicken breeds that will be adopted for eggs that are out of the ordinary!

Did you know? The color of the eggshell depends on the chicken breed. In France, the most common shades range from transparent to yellow. But did you know that there are also white eggs, even blue and green? We help you see more clearly!

How is the color of chicken eggs determined? The color of the eggshell is mainly determined by genetics. However, other factors come into play: the chicken breed, the pigments they secrete, as well as environmental factors such as food, stress, or overall health. They can modulate the intensity of the shade without changing the basic color.

So, the Crèvecœur – a Normandy breed – lays bright white eggs while the Araucana stands out for its green shell eggs!

Why are chicken eggs white, brown, or different colors? They are specific pigments produced by chickens that determine the color of the eggshells. For example:

– Protoporphyrin ix is the pigment responsible for the brown color of eggs. It is deposited in eggs in the oviduct.
– Biliverdin is the pigment that gives eggs a blue hue. Biliverdin is present early in the shell formation process.

Some breeds produce a mix of these pigments that can provide green eggs or other intermediate shades. Some farms have managed to obtain hybrid chickens that also lay shells with green and blue tones. It will be hard not to break the Marans pool and their chocolate eggs! This breed comes from Malaștina Poitevin, precisely from the town of Port Marans, which it is named after.

Chickens laying bright white eggs. Several chicken breeds lay white eggs. Here are some of the most common ones:

– Leghorn: Leghorn is probably the most well-known breed for laying white eggs. They are prolific layers and are often used in the egg production industry due to their great settling ability.
– Ancona: Originating from Italy, like Leghorn, Anconas are good layers of white eggs and are known for their spotted plumage.
– Minorca: Another Mediterranean breed, Minorcas lay large white eggs. They are large and robust, with black, white, or blue feathers.
– Dutch: Additionally, chickens in the Netherlands lay white eggs and are appreciated for their usual settling ability and docile nature.
– Andalusian: Originating from Spain, Andalusian chickens lay white eggs and are known for their unique slate plumage.

These breeds are chosen not only for the color of their eggs but also for their productivity and specific characteristics.

Chicken breed for adopting pink eggs! For pink eggs, consider Bard Rock, Rhode Island Red, or Light Sussex, which offer the most sustained colors. For a more delicate pink, close to salmon, opt for Salmon Faverolles. And if you are looking for subtle pink brown eggs, choose Croad Langshan, Buff Orpington, or Java Tachetée.

Araucana, Legbar: these chicken breeds lay blue eggs. The most well-known chicken breed for laying blue eggs is Araucana. However, there are other breeds and varieties that can lay blue or blue eggs, in particular:

– Ameraucana: This breed was developed from Araucana and also lays blue eggs. The diversity of crest colors and docile characteristics are appreciated.
– Easter Egger: Not an official breed, but rather a type of hybrid chicken, often crossed with Araucanas or Ameraucanas. Easter Eggers can lay eggs of different colors, including blue, green, and sometimes even pink or beige.
– Cream Legbar: A British breed known for its light blue eggs. Cream Legbars are also popular for their distinctive nature and auto-sexing, which allows easy differentiation of male chicks from females at birth.

These breeds are popular for both the unique color of their eggs and their genetic diversity, as well as their distinctive characteristics.

Emerald Hen, Isbar: Which chicken breed lays green eggs? Green eggs are usually laid by chickens resulting from crosses between blue-laying breeds and brown-laying breeds. Here are some known breeds and types of chickens that lay green eggs:

– Easter Egger: Although this is not an official breed, Easter Eggers are often crosses between Araucanas or Ameraucanas (which lay blue eggs) and other breeds that lay brown eggs. They can lay eggs of different colors, including green.
– Olive Egger: These chickens are the result of a cross between a chicken that lays blue eggs (like Araucana or Ameraucana) and a chicken that lays dark brown eggs (like Marans). The combination of these two genes produces olive or dark green eggs.
– Emerald: Emerald chickens, often called «emerald chickens» or «Beumont emerald farm» in France, generally lay light green eggs.
– ISBARS: A lesser-known Swedish breed, ISBARS (or silver blue) lay green eggs. This breed was developed by Martin Silverudd to produce green eggs and has blue, black, or splattered feathers.

Several chicken breeds lay brown eggs. Here are some of the most common ones:

– Rhode Island Red: This breed is very popular and known for laying brown eggs. Rhode Island Reds are also appreciated for their robustness and adaptability to different climatic conditions.
– Redstar: These very common chicks generally lay brown eggs.
– Plymouth Rock (or Barred Rock): Another popular breed, Plymouth Rocks lay brown eggs and are known for their docile nature and good egg production.
– Marans: Marans are famous for laying dark brown eggs, sometimes almost chocolate. They are from France and are appreciated for the unique color of their eggs.
– Orpington: Orpingtons, especially Buff Orpingtons, lay brown eggs. This breed is also known for its soft plumage and gentle temperament.
– Sussex: Sussex chickens lay light to medium brown eggs. They are resistant and good layers.
– Australorp: Australorps lay chestnut eggs and are famous for their excellent egg production, even having a global deposition establishment.

No chicken breed lays black eggs. However, there is a chicken breed, Ayam Cemani, that is often associated with this idea due to its unique characteristics. Ayam Cemani is an Indonesian breed known for its intense black pigmentation, not only in its feathers but also in its skin, meat, and even bones. However, despite this spectacular black pigmentation, Ayam Cemani eggs are cream or easily tinted.

Certain information or misconceptions may have contributed to the idea that this breed could lay black eggs, but in reality, no chicken produces eggs of this color.

Does the taste of eggs change depending on the color? While the yolk varies depending on what the chicken eats, the color of the eggshell has no impact on the taste of the egg.

Why is my chicken laying less? As chickens age, they produce fewer eggs. On the other hand, the eggs will be larger, and the yolk will be thicker. Note that chickens do not lay eggs for about 7 or 8 years! If your poultry is young and not laying, it may be a sign of stress. Check if their enclosure is clean and large enough to live in harmony with their companions. Also, follow the diet: it should be varied and rich in nutrients, such as calcium.