Egg color question

[Sdonz1]

Hi I have three Easter egger bantams and I was wondering what color you would call these eggs. In a few weeks I'm purchasing silked Easter eggers because I was hoping for a blue egg. I was wondering if their eggs are more defined as blue than this? Thanks! Any other breeds you can suggest for color such as pink or other fun colors would be great! : ) Skyr

 

[swamphiker]

Those look like blue eggs to me! The color is more striking when they are sitting next to white or brown eggs which makes them stand out more. Olive eggers lay greenish eggs, black copper marans lay darker brown eggs which are pretty, welsummers lay brown speckled eggs which is fun as well.

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

Depends on their genetics… my first EE ever laid a rather dull just barely green hued egg, then my next two EEs layed beautiful blue eggs, my two Crested Cream Legbar crosses lay lovely Olive eggs. I am hoping the 3 EEs I am raising will lay bright blues but they are unknowns…

There are 2 related but different genes that create the blue, however EEs and CCLs should all carry the South American Blue Egg gene if they lay blue.

In addition there are genes that effect the gloss or mat effect on an egg, this effects the look of the colour to us. I think the gloss effect makes the eggs look brighter no matter the colour.

If you have browning genes in the mix then the shades can run a huge range. As there are many different genes and some even cancel out each other.

Marans have beautiful Terra Cotta to super brown eggs. These are what my girls are laying right now. Green ones are the CCLXs, the tan ones are Swedish Black Hen, Phoenixes and a D’Uccle. The Pink and lighter Brown are Naked Neck and the real dark brown is a French Maran. I couldn’t find the picture of the blue eggs my old EEs used to lay.

 

[FeatheredFriends&Horses2]

Pretty eggs! Unfortunately with Easter eggers you never know what you’ll get, hence the name. You could get some that lay pale blue eggs like yours, others that lay quite dark blue eggs, ones that lay green eggs, and ones that lay pinkish colored eggs. If you want very large, vibrant green or blue eggs, I would suggest trying whiting true greens and whiting true blues.

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

Yeah I think some breeds you might get the “pink” but itis hit and miss, then if that is your goal you have to try and selectively breed for it.

 

[Kiki]

If any of you are interested in learning more about eggshell color genetics, I posted this article, which is a copy of a college paper I wrote. I learned a lot writing it, and it really got me excited about genetics, since eggshells seem like such a simple thing but so many genes and chemicals go into creating their color!

Here ya go:

Chicken Eggshell Color Genetics

 

[MysteryChicken]

X2
I’ve had some buff orpingtons and barred rocks that lay pinkish colored eggs, but it’s not exactly a true breeding trait.

I've had the heavy bloom trait passed down through generations.

I believe @gimmie birdies , is working on grey Eggers, which are chickens that lay an olive egg with a heavy bloom.

 

[FeatheredFriends&Horses2]

couldn’t be genetically passed down.

Still not quite sure what you're trying too explain? (Still abit tired, & waking up) sorry.

No problem! I mean bloom is a trait which may be inherited, as you have seen in your own flock. However, it is not one of the standard breed traits orpingtons and plymouth rocks have been bred for throughout the years. So if you purchase one, you may end up with one that has the thick bloom and thus pink tinted eggs, but you may also end up with one that lays an egg with a thinner bloom and produces plain brown eggs.

 

[MysteryChicken]

No problem! I mean bloom is a trait which may be inherited, as you have seen in your own flock. However, it is not one of the standard breed traits orpingtons and plymouth rocks have been bred for throughout the years. So if you purchase one, you may end up with one that has the thick bloom and thus pink tinted eggs, but you may also end up with one that lays an egg with a thinner bloom and produces plain brown eggs.

All my Orpingtons I got last year have heavy bloom, 2 lay pink, & one lays an egg that's off white due to the amount of bloom on it.

It may not be bred for, but it pops up quite frequently from what I see.

My Heritage Plymouth Barred Rocks don't lay pink, but tinted with speckles.

Half my birds lay pink, while the other half doesn't. It's kind of funny seeing this.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Here's the turquoise eggs. They show up green on camera. I struggled to get the exact color photographed.

I even stuck a Silkie egg next to them in hopes it helps with fixing the color contrast on the camera, & it failed.

Flash failed me too. Made them even greener on camera.

I need tips for getting colored eggs to show true color on camera.