Lexi Webster
In Australia, the most common commercial egg colour is brown. This is because Australian growers have bred for larger eggs, and brown chickens, which typically lay brown eggs, tend to be bigger. Brown eggs were once considered healthier and more natural, but this is not the case. The colour of an egg depends on the breed of chicken, and different chickens lay different-coloured eggs at different points in their lives. In addition to brown eggs, a small number of farms in Australia also sell white eggs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most popular egg colour in Australia | Brown |
| Other egg colours | White, bluish tones, creamy pinks, green, black, blue, golden-speckled brown |
| Most common commercial egg chicken breed in Australia | ISA Brown |
| Other chicken breeds | Australorp, Sussex, Guinea Fowl, Silky Bantam, Barnevelder, Easter Egger, Australian Langshan, Leghorn, Marans, New Hampshire, Orpington, Wyandotte |
| Egg colour determinants | Breed of chicken, life stage of chicken, calcium levels, sunlight protection, camouflage |
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What You'll Learn
Brown eggs are the most common
The most common commercial egg-laying chicken breed in Australia is the ISA Brown, which lays brown eggs. ISA Browns are a favourite for individuals and families new to poultry care as they are moderately sized, require low maintenance, and produce a prolific number of eggs year-round. Additionally, they are affectionate in nature.
Different breeds of chickens lay different-coloured eggs. The colour of the egg depends on the breed of chicken, and brown chickens typically lay brown eggs. While brown eggs are the most common in Australia, a small number of farms also sell white eggs.
The yolk colour is determined by the chicken's feed, and the addition of colour strengthens the eggshell. White is the default colour for bird eggs as they are made of calcium carbonate, which is white. However, many birds lay coloured or colourfully patterned eggs for camouflage or protection from UV light.
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White eggs are also available
The most common egg colour available in Australia is brown. This is because Australian growers have bred for larger eggs and brown chickens, which typically produce brown eggs, tend to be bigger. Brown eggs were also once considered healthier and more natural, although this is not the case. The colour of an egg depends on the breed of chicken, and different chickens lay different coloured eggs at different points in their lives.
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Blue and green eggs exist
In Australia, the most common egg colour is brown, although a few farms also sell white eggs. However, blue and green eggs exist too, and they are laid by different breeds of chickens.
Blue eggs are laid by Ameraucanas, Araucanas, and Cream Legbars. The blue colour comes from oocyanin, which is applied early in the laying process. The blue pigment goes all the way through the shell, making blue eggs blue both inside and out.
Green eggs are laid by Easter Eggers and Olive Eggers, which are created by crossbreeding a blue-egg-laying breed and a brown-egg-laying breed. These hens possess both blue and brown genes, resulting in green eggshells. The eggshells are green on the outside, a mix of blue and brown, and blue on the inside.
While brown and white eggs are the most common in supermarkets, blue and green eggs are also available, although they tend to be more expensive and harder to obtain.
In addition to brown, white, blue, and green, there are also other egg colours, such as pink and creamy pink. The Australorp breed, which is recognised in Australia, can lay black, white, and blue eggs.
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Egg colour depends on chicken breed
The colour of a chicken's egg depends on its breed. While white is the default colour for bird eggs, many birds lay coloured or colourfully patterned eggs. The colour of the eggshell is determined in the final stage of egg development.
In Australia, the most common commercial egg chicken is the ISA Brown, which lays brown eggs. Brown eggs are also the main egg colour available in Australia, although a small number of farms also sell white eggs. The Australorp, a breed of dual-purpose utility chicken developed in Australia, also lays brown eggs. The original plumage colour is black, but blue and white varieties were bred in South Africa and Australia in the 1930s and 1940s, respectively.
Different breeds of chickens lay different coloured eggs. For example, Barnevelders lay golden-speckled brown eggs, Easter Eggers lay colourful and extra-large eggs, and Marans lay large, chocolate-coloured eggs. The Australian Langshan has many colour variations, while Sussex chickens are known for their large size and excellent egg production. Leghorns are a great egg-producing breed that is highly economical, but they are not known for being good family companions. Wyandottes are reliable layers throughout the year and have strong maternal instincts, making them good birds to have around children.
The colour of eggs can also be influenced by a bird's biology and behaviour. For instance, ground-nesting birds typically lay coloured or patterned eggs to match the substrate they are laid upon, providing camouflage to avoid discovery by predators. Birds whose eggs are hidden from view or who sit on their eggs continuously during incubation tend to lay white eggs. Colour can also act as a form of protection from UV light and strengthen the eggshell.
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Egg carton labels and their meanings
In Australia, the main egg colour is brown, although some farms also sell white eggs. Despite the common misconception that brown eggs are more natural and healthier, brown and white eggs have the same nutritional profile.
Egg carton labels can be confusing, with terms like "farm fresh", "barn-laid", and "pasture-raised" being familiar to most egg buyers. However, many people don't know the exact meanings of these terms. Here is a breakdown of some common egg carton labels:
Free-Range Eggs
Free-range eggs come from hens that have access to the outdoors. Farmers open the doors to the sheds in the morning and close them in the late afternoon. National free-range egg laws require hens to have "meaningful and regular access" to an outdoor range during daylight hours and be free to roam and forage outside. However, the size of the outdoor area can vary, and the outdoor access requirement can sometimes be met by simply having a door that can be opened but remains closed. Combining the term "free-range" with "100% vegetarian diet" on egg cartons indicates that the chickens have not spent time outdoors, as chickens are omnivores and would eat insects outdoors. To ensure more stringent standards, look for the "Certified Humane Free Range" label.
Cage-Free Eggs
Cage-free means that the hens are not kept in cages, but they may still be kept indoors in crowded conditions without access to the outdoors. Certified Humane Cage-Free hens, however, have at least one and a half square feet of space per bird and access to perches and feed throughout the day, along with lighting requirements that mimic nature.
Pasture-Raised Eggs
Pasture-raised chickens typically spend most of their lives outside and have access to a natural diet along with grain. There is no standard definition for this term, but the "Certified Humane" or "American Humane Certified" labels require chickens to have access to pasture with space to perform natural behaviours such as pecking for seeds and bugs. Pasture-raised eggs tend to be more expensive, but they offer higher levels of omega-3, vitamin D, vitamin E, and beta-carotene.
Organic Eggs
Organic eggs are produced without the use of any chemicals. The hens are fed grains grown without synthetic pesticides or GMOs and cannot be raised in cages or given antibiotics. There are only a small number of organic egg farms in Australia, so look for the certified organic logo on the label to verify the claim.
Vegetarian Eggs
Vegetarian eggs come from hens fed exclusively on a plant-based diet. Protein supplements are a small part of their diet, and most protein comes from vegetarian sources like soybean meal.
Farm Fresh Eggs
"Farm fresh" is a marketing term that emphasises the freshness of the eggs. All eggs come from farms, and this term does not indicate a specific farming system. The term "fresh" generally means the product hasn't been frozen, but eggs in their shells should never be frozen.
Grading
Eggs are often graded at the time of packaging to certify their quality, with grades like AA, A, or B. Grading is voluntary, and farmers pay to have their eggs graded. However, it's important to note that eggs are usually about 30 days old by the time they reach stores, and prolonged storage decreases their quality.
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Frequently asked questions
The most popular egg colour in Australia is brown. This is because Australian growers have bred for larger eggs and brown chickens, which usually produce brown eggs, tend to be bigger.
Different breeds of chickens lay different coloured eggs. The common commercial breed in Australia is the ISA Brown, which produces brown eggs.
Yes, a small number of farms also sell white eggs. There are also green and blue eggs, which are laid by Cadbury Rabbits after a genetic engineering experiment.
