Blue eggs are a rare and fascinating variety of chicken egg. While most chicken eggs have white or brown shells, some breeds lay eggs with shells that are different shades of blue or green. The color of a chicken’s eggs is determined by genetics, specifically the genes that control deposition of pigment. Here’s an in-depth look at what makes blue eggs blue and the chicken breeds that lay them.
What Causes Blue Egg Color?
The main pigment responsible for blue egg color is biliverdin. It is the same pigment that causes bruising in humans. In certain breeds of chickens, the gene for biliverdin is activated in the uterus, causing this pigment to be deposited onto developing eggshells. The end result is a blue or green egg, depending on the amount of pigment present.
While biliverdin is the main factor, other pigments also influence egg color. A protein layer on the eggshell filters out some color, resulting in eggs that look blue-green rather than pure blue. The intensity of color also depends on genetics, with some breeds laying darker blue eggs than others. Diet and environment can also affect the final egg color.
Breeds That Lay Blue Eggs
Only a handful of chicken breeds naturally produce blue eggs. Here are some of the most common blue egg layers:
Araucana
This South American breed is thought to be the original source of the blue egg gene. Their eggs can range from light blue to dark blue-green. Araucanas also lack normal tail feathers.
Ameraucana
Developed in the U.S., the Ameraucana inherits the blue egg gene from the Araucana. Their eggs are often lighter blue in color. These chickens have normal tails but lack the extra toe of the Araucana.
Cream Legbar
Originated in Britain, Cream Legbars lay blue eggs with a tint of green. They have a handsome barred pattern and crest of feathers on their heads.
Easter Egger
Easter Eggers are hybrid chickens that carry the blue egg gene from their Araucana or Ameraucana parentage. Their egg color varies widely, from pale green to deep blue.
Why Are Blue Eggs Rare?
The vast majority of chicken breeds lay white or brown eggs. The blue egg trait is relatively uncommon in domestic chicken genetics. When chickens were first domesticated, the traits for brown eggs and white eggs became widely established.
The blue egg gene originated in South America with the Araucana breed. As Araucanas were brought to other parts of the world, their genetic mutation produced this unusual egg color. But because this trait was limited to just a few breeds, blue eggs never became mainstream.
Today, blue eggs are still considered special and rare. Only the breeds that descended directly from the Araucana carry this trait. No major commercial egg laying breeds lay blue eggs.
Do Blue Eggs Taste Different?
While their color is unique, blue chicken eggs have the same flavor, quality, and nutritional value as white or brown eggs.
The only potential difference is a somewhat thicker eggshell. Breeds like Ameraucanas and Araucanas tend to lay eggs with more calcium carbonate and therefore thicker shells. But the interior contents of blue eggs are identical to other colored eggs from chickens fed the same diet.
So while their distinctive color makes them fun to find in a carton, blue eggs won’t offer any altered taste or nutrition compared to more common white and brown eggs. The flavor and quality depend on the individual hen’s diet and living conditions, not shell pigmentation.
Fun Facts About Blue Eggs
- Blue eggs peak in popularity around Easter for their bright spring colors.
- Some chickens lay green or olive eggs rather than pure blue. Diet can influence the final egg color.
- No major commercial egg laying breeds lay blue eggs. They come only from specialty chicken breeds.
- The blue egg trait originated in Chile with the Araucana breed.
- Older hens tend to lay darker blue eggs than younger pullets. Shell pigment often intensifies with age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my chicken’s eggs blue?
If your chicken lays blue eggs, it likely has genetic ancestry tracing back to South America, specifically the Araucana or Ameraucana breeds. These rare breeds have a genetic mutation that activates biliverdin pigment deposition in developing egg shells.
What chicken breeds lay blue eggs?
The most common blue egg layers are Araucana, Ameraucana, Cream Legbar, and Easter Egger hybrids. All of these descendants inherited the blue egg gene from South American Araucanas.
Are blue eggs better?
Blue eggs have no nutritional, flavor, or quality differences compared to white or brown eggs. Only the shell color is different. The interior contents are the same as other eggs when the chickens eat the same diet. Some blue egg shells may be a bit thicker due to higher calcium levels.
Why don’t stores sell blue eggs?
Since no major commercial breeds lay blue eggs, they aren’t mass produced. Blue eggs come from backyard chicken keepers with breeds like Ameraucanas and Araucanas. But some specialty grocers or farmers markets may sell blue chicken eggs from local flocks.
Conclusion
The vibrant blue egg is an unusual treasure that comes from chicken breeds of South American origin. While their uniqueness makes them highly coveted, blue eggs offer no significant nutritional or flavor advantages over white or brown eggs. Still, their colorful shells provide delight to backyard chicken raisers and specialty egg lovers. Next time you spot a carton of blue eggs, crack one open to enjoy the same great taste of chicken egg in a package tinted with biliverdin pigment.