Pink eggs???

[chickenboy190]

I love all the pics you posted! I have one hen that lays pink eggs but I'm still trying to figure out which one she is!

Thanks! what breeds do you have?

 

[mwells6chicks]

I have a Buff Orp, RIR, and Delaware that give me different shades of brown. The buff eggs can be a creamy mauve at times. I also have 2 EE that give me light green eggs. I have a new flock of pellets as well. 2 barred rock, 2 more buff Orp and 1 Buff Ameracauna. I'm hoping she gives me a blue or pink egg

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

As has been pointed out the "pink" shades are considered brown, but keep in mind (from my poking around on the genetics) there are allot of "browning" genes (so the genetics are not as well understood as presented) and lots of inhibitor genes, so it is striking just the right combo that gets the "pink". I am sure it can be bred for it will just take patience and finding the right rooster to cross over an already pink layer to produce daughters that lay just the right shades you want.

Note breeding experiments between different dark layer breeds have resulted in surprises like non dark eggs so clearly the genetics of the two breeds are different and even cancelled out some of each others darkening bloom genes. Egg colour can be tricky but so much fun to breed for.

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

You all might want to check out this thread too, Purple Eggs: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/273406/purple-eggs/10

There are some photos on it worth some thought into the genetics being expressed.

 

[tcarter]

I love my Speckled Sussex. Just wondering why two of the hens that started laying have light, nearly white, eggs? At first glance they look white. Does this mean they are not purebred?
Thanks!

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

They could be purebreds, but...

1) At the beginning of their egg laying cycles that is when you get the darkest eggs, then they will lighten.

2) Diet can effect eggs, I am still researching this but I have found enough here and there to make me wonder about how to best supprt the expression of the genes that effect egg colours, yolk colours and more. I still have allot more research to do on this.

3) Breeder was not breeding for egg colour. This is a problem in many breeds. Egg colour quality, desired shape and or production has gone downhill in some breeds, especially if other breed features become more important than utility issues.

 

[tcarter]

Thank you. That is helpful. One of my Wyandottes is laying now and her eggs are normal brown, compared to the much lighter Sussex eggs. I have Speckled Sussex, SL Wyandottes, Columbian Wyandottes, and Buff Orpingtons. The sweetest ones are the Sussex. I sure like that breed. I got my hens in February from Ideal Poultry to raise for eggs. If I was a breeder I would definitely want to focus on breed standards and quality, as I believe that is very important. I would probably find a good breeder to start my flock if I planned to breed for chicks. I wonder how important it is if you just want eggs for yourself? Anyway, I really enjoy my chickens! This is my first try and they are so fun!

 

[Deepfriedbeauty]

I always thought that eggs were truly either white or blue and that any varience was due to the brown tint put on the outside. I also was under the belief that the Salmon Faverolles eggs were "pink" because they are just a very light brown tint. My Faverolles just started laying. The outside of the eggs are not as "pink" as I expected, but the inside... Wow! I did not expect that!

 

[mwells6chicks]

What did you find on the inside?

 

[Deepfriedbeauty]

Just the pink color.