What makes an egg white

A white egg is simply a shell with no pigment added. All chicken eggshells are built from calcium carbonate, which is white. Hens that lay brown eggs add a brown coat on top at the end. Hens that lay blue eggs put blue pigment through the whole shell. White egg layers do neither. That makes white the starting point for every egg color.

Which breeds lay white eggs

Many white egg layers come from the Mediterranean region. They tend to be lighter birds with large combs, built for warm weather. The best known is the Leghorn, the bird behind most commercial white eggs. Others include the Ancona, Minorca, Andalusian and Sicilian Buttercup. A few crested breeds such as the Polish and Houdan also lay white eggs, and so do Hamburgs and Lakenvelders.

Do white eggs change color over the season?

Not much, which is one nice thing about them. Since there is no pigment layer to thin out, white eggs stay white all year. The bigger changes you will notice are in size and shell quality. Young pullets lay small eggs at first. Older hens tend to lay fewer, larger eggs with thinner shells. In hot weather, shells on any breed can get thinner because hens eat less.

What you trade for white eggs

Many white egg breeds are active, flighty and good at foraging. They often lay well and eat a little less than heavy breeds. On the other hand, they are usually less cuddly, more likely to fly over a short fence, and their big single combs can get frostbite in very cold areas. If you want white eggs in a cold climate, give them a dry, well-vented coop.

White egg myths

• White eggs are bleached. They are not. The shell grows white.
• White eggs are less nutritious. Shell color has no link to what is inside.
• White earlobes always mean white eggs. It is a rough rule that often works for Mediterranean breeds, but there are plenty of exceptions.
• White eggs come from factory hens only. Plenty of backyard breeds lay white eggs, and the eggs are just as fresh as any other.

If you want a mix of white and colored eggs in one carton, the colorful egg breeds guide pairs well with a few white layers.

Common questions about white eggs

Why are store eggs mostly white in the US?

Large egg farms often use white egg hybrids because they are efficient layers. It is about production, not quality.

Can a white egg layer suddenly lay brown eggs?

No. A hen does not switch colors. If you find a brown egg from a white layer flock, another hen laid it, or the egg picked up stains.

Are white eggs easier to candle?

Yes. With no pigment, light passes through more easily, so it is easier to see inside when you candle eggs for hatching.