White vs Brown Eggs
What’s the difference?
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White Eggs vs. Brown Eggs – Learning the Difference
Overall, there is no difference between egg colors. An egg’s color is the result of natural pigments being added to the shell when the egg is forming inside the hen. The color of eggs that hens lay is determined by her breed.
Why Are Some Eggs White and Others Brown?
One of the biggest misconceptions about eggs is that shell color affects quality or nutrition. In reality, the difference between white eggs and brown eggs comes down almost entirely to the breed of chicken that laid them.
Hens with white earlobes, such as White Leghorns, typically lay white eggs, while breeds with red or brown earlobes, including Rhode Island Reds, Plymouth Rocks, and Orpingtons, usually lay brown eggs. Some breeds, like Ameraucanas and Easter Eggers, even produce blue or green eggs thanks to a natural pigment added during shell formation.
No matter the shell color, the egg inside develops the same way and provides the same high-quality nutrition.
Do brown eggs taste different than white eggs?
No. There is no taste difference between brown and white eggs.
Is there any nutritional difference between white and brown eggs?
No. There is no nutritional difference between different colored eggs. While shell color doesn’t affect nutrition, a hen’s diet certainly does! Explore our Poultry Products to ensure your flock gets the balanced nutrition needed for rich, healthy eggs.
So why do we mostly see white eggs in grocery stores? At some point in history, consumers showed a preference for white eggs, so that’s what egg farmers focused on producing. Many shoppers assume brown eggs are healthier because they often cost more at the grocery store. However, brown eggs vs. white eggs nutrition is nearly identical.
Both contain:
- High-quality complete protein
- Vitamins A, D, E, and B12
- Choline for brain health
- Selenium and phosphorus
- Healthy fats
The hen’s diet has a much greater impact on nutrition than the shell color. Chickens fed balanced, nutrient-rich feed produce nutritious eggs regardless of whether the shells are white, brown, blue, or green.
All egg shells are white when they first begin to form. Pigment is then added to alter the color. Brown egg shells contain the pigment Protoporphyrin IX, which is a by-product of hemoglobin. Blue egg shells contain the pigment Oocyanin, which is a by-product of bile formation. Any colored egg will contain different levels of brown or blue pigment, or sometimes both pigments. White egg shells contain no pigment at all. Discover the secret to colorful chicken eggs and the breeds that lay them.
Does Eggshell Color Affect Taste?
Another common question is whether brown eggs taste better than white eggs. For most people, the answer is no. Taste is influenced by the hen’s diet, the freshness of the egg, storage conditions, and the cooking method.
Fresh eggs from healthy hens often have richer flavor, regardless of shell color. Backyard chicken owners frequently notice better flavor simply because the eggs are fresher than store-bought eggs.
Does Shell Color Affect Eggshell Strength?
Some people believe brown eggs have thicker shells than white eggs, but shell strength depends on factors such as the hen’s age, their calcium intake, overall nutrition, and greed genetics.
As hens get older, shells naturally become thinner regardless of color. Providing a quality layer feed with adequate calcium helps maintain strong shells throughout the laying season.
The Colors Don’t Stop at White and Brown
White and brown eggs are only part of the story. Chickens can produce eggs in several beautiful colors. The shell color is determined by pigments deposited during the final stage of egg formation and has little effect on what’s inside the egg.
Chicken Breeds
That Produce
Blue Eggs
Choosing the Best Eggs
When comparing white eggs vs. brown eggs, the most important factors aren’t shell color—they’re the health of the hen and the quality of her diet. Whether your hens lay white, brown, blue, or green eggs, they’ll produce nutritious, delicious eggs when they’re provided with:
- A complete, balanced layer feed
- Fresh, clean water
- Plenty of nesting space
- A clean, low-stress environment
- Routine health care
Healthy hens produce healthy eggs, making proper nutrition and flock management far more important than the color of the shell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are brown eggs healthier than white eggs?
No. Brown and white eggs offer nearly identical nutrition. A hen’s diet has a much greater effect on the nutrients inside the egg than shell color.
Why are brown eggs more expensive?
Brown egg-laying hens are generally larger, consume more feed, and often lay fewer eggs, making them more costly to raise.
Do white eggs and brown eggs taste different?
Not usually. Freshness and the hen’s diet influence flavor much more than shell color.
Can white chickens lay brown eggs?
Some can. Egg color depends on genetics and breed, and not simply the color of the chicken’s feathers.
Which eggs should I buy?
Choose eggs based on freshness, quality, and how the hens are cared for rather than shell color alone.