Difference Between Brown and White Eggs

Explanation

Egg shell color is determined by genetics. Hens with white feathers and earlobes typically lay white eggs, while hens with red or brown feathers and earlobes usually lay brown eggs. Some breeds even lay blue or green eggs.

The nutritional content of an egg depends on the hen's diet, not shell color. Eggs from hens fed enriched diets may have higher omega-3 fatty acids or vitamin content regardless of shell color.

Brown eggs often cost more because the breeds that lay them tend to be larger and require more food. This cost difference reflects production economics, not nutritional superiority. Whether you should wash eggs before storing also has nothing to do with shell color.

The most common white-egg layers are White Leghorn hens, which are smaller and more feed-efficient, producing about 280-320 eggs per year. Brown eggs come primarily from Rhode Island Reds, Plymouth Rocks, and similar heritage breeds that weigh 6-8 lbs compared to the Leghorn's 4-5 lbs. These larger hens eat 20-30% more feed daily, which is directly reflected in the $0.50-1.00 per dozen price premium for brown eggs at most grocery stores.

Shell thickness and strength are also unrelated to color. Both brown and white eggs have shells approximately 0.3-0.4 mm thick, and shell strength depends on the hen's age and calcium intake. Younger hens produce thicker shells, and hens receiving adequate calcium (about 4 grams per day, usually from oyster shell supplements) lay stronger eggs regardless of breed. If you notice thinner shells in any eggs, it reflects the hen's nutrition or age, not the shell color. Learn more about how long eggs last regardless of color.

Things to Know

• Some people prefer brown eggs for aesthetic reasons or perceive them as more farm-fresh.
• Egg yolk color varies based on diet; hens eating more pigmented foods produce darker yolks. Both colors are safe for dogs to eat.
• Organic, free-range, and pasture-raised labels relate to farming practices, not shell color.
• Ameraucana and Araucana hens lay blue and green-tinted eggs, sometimes marketed as 'Easter eggs.' These are also nutritionally identical to white and brown eggs when hens are fed the same diet. The blue pigment (oocyanin) is deposited throughout the shell, while brown pigment (protoporphyrin) coats only the outer surface.