Why some eggs look pink

Pink eggs are not a separate color in the genetic sense. They are light brown eggs with a warm undertone, and often a heavy bloom that gives them a soft, dusty look. Under that thin outer layer, the shell is white. In daylight one egg might look pink, and under a kitchen light it can look beige. That is part of the charm, and part of why the label varies so much.

The role of the bloom

The bloom, also called the cuticle, is a thin coating the hen puts on the egg just before laying. It helps seal the pores. On some hens it is thick enough to look chalky or frosted, and on a light brown egg it can shift the color toward pink or lilac. If you wash or wipe a pink egg, it may look more tan afterward. That is the bloom coming off, not the pigment.

Breeds whose eggs often look pink

Pink tones show up in several breeds that lay light brown or tinted eggs. Keepers often mention Plymouth Rocks, Orpingtons and Sussex. Some Easter Eggers lay a pinkish egg instead of blue or green, because they did not inherit the blue egg gene. No breed reliably lays pink eggs every time, so think of pink as a happy bonus.

How pink eggs change over time

Because the color is a light coating, pink eggs often fade toward beige or cream over a long laying season. Older hens tend to lay paler eggs. After the molt, the color may warm up again. A hen that was laying pink can go through a stretch of plain tan eggs, and that is normal.

Getting more pink eggs in your carton

There is no feed or trick that turns eggs pink. Your best bet is to keep several light brown layers and see which hens throw the pinkest eggs. If you hatch, keeping eggs from those hens can nudge future birds in that direction, though there are no guarantees.

Pink egg myths

• Pink eggs mean a sick hen. No. A healthy hen can lay pink eggs. Watch for soft or rough shells instead.
• Pink eggs come from one special breed. Several breeds can lay them, and individual hens vary.
• Pink means the egg is blood stained. Blood shows up as streaks or spots, not an even tint.

Common questions about pink eggs

Are pink eggs safe to eat?

Yes. The inside is exactly like any other egg.

Why does my pink egg look tan after washing?

You washed off some of the bloom, which was adding the pink look. The pigment underneath is light brown.

Do pink egg hens lay pink their whole life?

Their eggs stay in the same light brown range, but the pink tone may come and go with the seasons and with age.