Why brown eggs are brown

Every chicken egg starts out white. The shell is made of calcium carbonate, which is naturally white. A brown egg gets its color near the very end of the process, when the hen's shell gland lays down a brown pigment over the outside of the shell. That is why brown is often called a coating. Crack a brown egg and look at the inside of the shell. It is white or close to it.

How much brown a hen adds

The shade depends on how much pigment a hen puts down, and that is mostly genetic. Some breeds lay a light tan egg. Others lay a deep reddish or chocolate brown. Within one breed, individual hens still vary, which is why a carton from one flock can hold several shades. Popular brown layers include the Rhode Island Red, the Australorp, the Plymouth Rock and the Orpington, along with high-output sex link hybrids.

Why brown eggs get lighter over the season

Many keepers notice that the first eggs of spring are the darkest, and the color fades as the laying season goes on. A hen has a limited amount of pigment to give each egg. When she lays often, the coating can get thinner. Color also tends to lighten as a hen gets older. Stress, heat, illness and some medications can make eggs come out paler for a while. After the molt and a rest, many hens come back with darker eggs again.

If one hen's eggs suddenly turn much paler or develop odd texture, it is worth watching her. The guide to thin shell eggs covers what to check.

Brown egg myths

• Brown eggs are healthier. Shell color does not change the nutrition inside. Diet and freshness matter far more.
• Brown eggs taste better. In blind tests, most people cannot tell them apart. A backyard egg tastes better because it is fresher and the hen eats a varied diet, not because of the shell.
• Brown eggs have thicker shells. Shell strength comes from the hen's age, health and calcium, not the color.
• You can tell egg color by feather color. No. A white-feathered bird can lay brown eggs. Earlobe color is a loose hint at best, with many exceptions.

Can you make brown eggs darker?

Not much. You cannot feed a hen into laying a darker egg than her genetics allow. What you can do is keep her healthy, cool in summer and free of stress, so she lays as close to her natural color as possible. If you want deep brown eggs, pick a breed known for them.

Common questions about brown eggs

Why are some brown eggs spotted?

Speckles happen when pigment goes on unevenly. It is common and harmless.

Does the bloom affect color?

The bloom is a thin protective layer over the shell. It can give eggs a soft, slightly matte look. Washing removes it, which can make some eggs look a touch lighter or shinier.

Why does my brown egg rub off?

Freshly laid eggs sometimes have a coating that smudges before it dries. It is the same pigment that gives the egg its color.