Ear Lobes = Egg Color?

[NatJ]

Is this a myth, or do lobes and eggs actually affect each other, color-wise?

There do not seem to be any genes that affect both earlobe color and egg color. Or pairs of linked genes that affect the two traits.

But among pure breeds, most breeds that have white earlobes do lay white eggs. And most breeds that have red earlobes do lay red eggs. There are exceptions both directions (commonly listed exceptions: Dorkings with red earlobes and white eggs, Penedesencas with white earlobes and brown eggs.)

Among mixed breed chickens, if both parent breeds have the same earlobe color and lay the same color eggs, chicks are likely to have those traits too. (So a Rock/Wyandotte cross would probably have red earlobes and lay brown eggs, like both parent breeds.)

If there is a mix between breeds with different earlobe colors, the chicks can have red or white or two-colored earlobes. And if there is a mix between breeds with brown and white eggs, chicks can lay eggs of in-between colors. With a few generations of mixing, you can have chickens with any color earlobes laying any shade of white, cream, tan, or brown eggs.

(I'm agreeing with what several other people have said, just giving the explanation in slightly different words.)

 

[Squawkers]

Good to know! So maybe we should view it as a probable indicator of egg color instead of something genetic.

 

[NatJ]

Good to know! So maybe we should view it as a probable indicator of egg color instead of something genetic.

I suppose it would be almost as accurate as expecting pea combs to go with blue eggs.

It is likely to be right more than half the time, if you stick with the common hatchery breeds and hybrids, and chicks descended from them. As soon as you get into rare breeds and special breeding projects, it becomes much less useful.

 

[Squawkers]

I suppose it would be almost as accurate as expecting pea combs to go with blue eggs.

It is likely to be right more than half the time, if you stick with the common hatchery breeds and hybrids, and chicks descended from them. As soon as you get into rare breeds and special breeding projects, it becomes much less useful.

That makes sense as well!

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

Are they mixed? It might only apply to purebreds

They are mixed

 

[GodLovesU]

Ok, so mostly what I’m seeing is that ear lobe color can be an indicator of egg color, but isn’t always the same. This is especially true the fancier that breeds get. I didn’t see much information on blue eggs or any on green. Are red, white, and blue the only ear lobe colors?

 

[NatJ]

Ok, so mostly what I’m seeing is that ear lobe color can be an indicator of egg color, but isn’t always the same. This is especially true the fancier that breeds get. I didn’t see much information on blue eggs or any on green. Are red, white, and blue the only ear lobe colors?

Red and white are the two main earlobe colors.
"White" earlobes with certain skin colors can look blue (Silkies) or sometimes a bit greenish or yellowish.

Until fairly recently, there were no common breeds that laid blue or green eggs. Now there are Araucanas and Ameraucanas that are supposed to lay blue (red earlobes) and Cream Legbars that are also supposed to lay blue (white earlobes). I can't immediately think of any breeds that are actually supposed to lay green eggs (various hatchery mixes, but not actual recognized pure breeds.) People do keep creating new chicken breeds, so that will probably change in the future.

Even the mythmakers seem to accept that the blue egg gene is unrelated to ear color. Green eggs are blue with some brown on the outside. Blue eggs are blue without any brown on the outside. So if they were going to match anything, the green eggs would go with brown eggs and red earlobes, and blue eggs would go with white eggs and white earlobes.

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

I can't immediately think of any breeds that are actually supposed to lay green eggs (various hatchery mixes, but not actual recognized pure breeds.)

Depending on who you ask, both Silverudd's Blue (Isbar) and Shetland Hen are supposed to lay green eggs
(Edit- and they do seem to have mostly red earlobes. The examples I've seen, at least)

 

[Amer]

The reason why this myth came to be is because it is common for Asiatic and dual purpose breeds (which always have Asiatic blood) to have red earlobes and brown eggs. And many European breeds have white earlobes and white eggs. However, lobe color is not an indication of egg color. Correlation without causation. The truth is, the red lobe and brown egg mutation happen to come from the same area.