Chickens that lay sky blue eggs are quite rare and unique. While most chicken eggs come in shades of white or brown, some special breeds produce eggs in a stunning blue or green hue. So what accounts for these unusual egg colors, and which chicken breeds lay sky blue eggs?
What Causes Blue Eggs?
The color of a chicken’s eggs is determined by pigments deposited on the eggshell as it develops within the hen’s oviduct. Two main pigments are responsible for egg color:
- Protoporphyrin – deposits red-brown pigment
- Biliverdin – deposits blue-green pigment
In most chickens, protoporphyrin is the dominant pigment, resulting in brown eggs. But in some breeds, biliverdin is expressed strongly, producing blue or green eggs. The more biliverdin relative to protoporphyrin, the more intense the blue-green color.
Interestingly, these pigments come from the hen’s feed. As plants contain protoporphyrin and biliverdin, hens deposit varying levels of these pigments based on their diet. A diet higher in biliverdin-rich plants, like corn, will produce bluer eggs.
Breeds that Lay Blue Eggs
While over a dozen chicken breeds lay blue eggs, these five are among the most common:
Araucana
The Araucana originates from Chile and is well-known for its sky blue eggs. It is a rare, heritage breed with tufts of feathers beside the ears and no tail. Araucana eggs are a light blue-green color.
Ameraucana
Developed in America, the Ameraucana lays eggs in shades of blue and green. It was bred from the Araucana and has the same pea comb but lacks the ear tufts. Ameraucanas are excellent layers and also come in a bantam variety.
Cream Legbar
An English breed, the Cream Legbar is auto-sexing, meaning chicks can be sexed at hatching. It lays sky blue eggs and has a handsome barred pattern in silver and gold. This productive breed is still quite rare.
Easter Egger
Easter Eggers are not a true breed but a mixed-breed variety. They lay eggs in tones of blue, green, pink, and olive. As they come from Araucana or Ameraucana pedigree, their egg color varies based on those genetics.
Marans
Originating from France, the Marans is known for its very dark chocolate brown eggs. But some strains also lay speckled blue eggs. The depth of color comes from a higher protoporphyrin content.
Blue Egg Laying and Production
While blue egg layers are less common than chickens producing white or brown eggs, their production is comparable:
- Araucana: 3-4 eggs/week
- Ameraucana: 4-5 eggs/week
- Cream Legbar: 3-4 eggs/week
- Easter Egger: 3-5 eggs/week
- Marans: 3 eggs/week
With good feed and care, most blue egg layers will produce 200-300 blue eggs per year. The shell strength and egg contents are no different than standard chicken eggs.
Blue Egg Nutrition
While the color is unique, blue chicken eggs provide no additional nutritional value over white or brown eggs. The interior color of blue eggs is typically white. Here is the general nutrition profile of a large chicken egg:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 72 |
| Fat | 4.8 g |
| Protein | 6.3 g |
| Cholesterol | 186 mg |
Chicken eggs are packed with nutrients like vitamin A, selenium, choline, riboflavin, and lutein. The blue egg shell itself contains calcium carbonate and small amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.
Blue Egg Taste and Quality
According to food science, there is no difference in flavor, quality, or taste between white, brown, and blue chicken eggs. The interior contents are identical, while the shell color stems from pigment only.
That said, differences may come down to breed characteristics and diet:
- Pasture-raised blue egg layers may produce eggs with brighter orange yolks.
- Heritage breeds like Araucana may have slightly richer egg content.
- Individual hen genetics impact yolk color and flavor.
In blind taste tests, most people cannot tell the difference between various egg colors. But blue eggs make for beautiful scrambles, baked goods, and dye-free Easter eggs!
Blue Egg Price
Due to rarity and uniqueness, blue chicken eggs typically cost more than standard white eggs at the supermarket. On average, blue eggs go for $3-5 per dozen compared to $2-3 for regular eggs.
Prices ultimately depend on breeder costs and local availability. At the farmgate, blue egg layers may fetch 2-3 times the price of brown egg breeds. Wholesale blue eggs usually run $.30-$.50 more per dozen than white. In more competitive settings like backyard flocks, blue egg prices are closer to standard eggs.
Do Blue Eggs Taste Different?
According to scientific research and tasting trials, the color of an egg shell does not impact the interior taste or quality. The nutrients, texture, and flavor are the same across white, brown, and blue eggs when coming from the same breed and diet.
This means blue chicken eggs offer no specific culinary advantage over other colors. However, some chefs and bakers prefer using blue eggs for the aesthetic appeal in things like omelets, baking, and dye-free Easter eggs.
Blue Egg Myths
Over the years, a few myths have emerged around blue chicken eggs:
- Myth: Blue eggs are healthier. Fact: No evidence shows nutritional differences based on shell color.
- Myth: The yolks of blue eggs are blue. Fact: Yolk color is yellow to orange in all chicken eggs.
- Myth: Blue eggs come from rare South American chickens. Fact: Blue egg breeds exist worldwide.
While blue eggs make a beautifully colorfulcarton, they offer no additional health or culinary benefits over brown or white eggs. The uniqueness comes down to the rare pigments in certain chicken breeds.
Where to Buy Blue Chicken Eggs
It may take some searching, but here are a few places to find those elusive sky blue eggs:
- Local farms – Check for blue egg layer breeds at farm stands and rural markets.
- Specialty grocers – Some health food and gourmet stores sell premium blue eggs.
- Online – Blue eggs can be shipped from small breeders around the country.
- Backyard flocks – Consider raising your own blue egg layers.
Organizations like the Araucana Club of America can help point you to registered breeders. Be aware that blue eggs tend to cost 2-4 times more than white eggs from the store.
Conclusion
Blue chicken eggs come from beautiful and rare breeds like the Araucana, Ameraucana, Cream Legbar, and Easter Egger. While their unique color stems from biliverdin pigment, blue eggs offer no nutritional or taste advantage over white or brown eggs. Still, their vibrant blue-green shells make them prized by some cooks and breeders. With good diet and care, blue egg layers can produce around 200-300 vividly colored eggs per year.