Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: All About Egg Colors
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Mar 19, 2025 Brown eggs aren't more natural than white ones—it's all about genetics! Discover the myths surrounding egg colors and their nutritional equivalence. Did you know a chicken's earlobe color can predict the shade of its eggs? Learn how pigments like biliverdin and protoporphyrin create a rainbow of hues. The process of egg formation resembles a conveyor belt, adding a whimsical twist to the biology. Plus, the fun of decorating Easter eggs brings a delightful touch of nostalgia to the conversation!
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Frigid Fiesta Eggs
- Chuck describes his annual Frigid Fiesta camping trip with friends.
- His friend Justin, a chicken raiser, brought various colored eggs, sparking Chuck's curiosity about egg color variations.
Egg Color Genetics
- Brown eggs are not more natural than white eggs; the color difference is purely genetic.
- White eggs are common in the US due to Leghorn chickens, while brown eggs come from breeds like Orphingtons and Plymouth Rocks.
Earlobe Color and Egg Color
- A chicken's earlobe color indicates whether it will lay colored or white eggs.
- Chickens with darker earlobes tend to lay colored eggs due to pigment production.