Welcome readers! In today’s article we will be exploring the interesting topic of egg coloration in chicken breeds, specifically looking at the eggs from White Orpington chickens. As backyard chicken keeping grows in popularity, more and more people are curious about the different egg colors that chickens can lay. Read on for a deep dive into Orpington egg genetics, common myths, and what controls egg color.
The Orpington chicken breed is beloved for its docile personality, broodiness, and of course – its large brown eggs. But not all Orpingtons lay brown eggs! The White Orpington chicken is a color variety of the Orpington breed that lays white-shelled eggs instead. This can be confusing and misleading for those new to chicken keeping that expect all Orpingtons to lay brown eggs.
So why do White Orpingtons lay white eggs? What causes the difference in shell color between the breed varieties? Let’s take a look at the factors that determine egg color in chickens.
Genetics of Chicken Egg Color
An individual chicken’s egg color is controlled by their genetics – specifically by the E, O, P, and N genes that code for deposition of pigments during egg shell formation. All chickens have some combination of these 4 genes, which leads to eggshell colors ranging from white, to brown, blue, or green.
The genes associated with egg color are:
- E – codes for protoporphyrin pigment (reddish-brown)
- O – codes for oocyanin pigment (blue-green)
- P – codes for porphyrin pigment (brown)
- N – lack of pigment (white)
Here are some common gene combinations and the egg color they produce:
| Gene Combination | Egg Color |
|---|---|
| EE, Ee | Brown |
| oo | Blue |
| pp | Dark brown |
| nn | White |
As you can see, the genetics gets complex quickly! But in basic terms – brown egg color comes from the E and P genes, blue from O, and white from N.
Genetics of Orpington Chickens
The average Orpington chicken has the genetic makeup of EeNn. This results in their trademark brown eggs.
The White Orpington, however, has the genetics of eeNn. It lacks the E gene entirely, so cannot produce brown E/eumelanin pigment. So by default, White Orpingtons lay white eggs due to their genetics.
Occasionally, a brown-egg laying Orpington may produce an eeNn White Orpington chick. This chick would then lay white eggs, even though its parents laid brown!
Myths About White Eggs
There are a number of common myths about white eggs versus brown eggs. Let’s explore a few:
White eggs are better/healthier than brown eggs
This is false – there is no nutritional difference between white and brown chicken eggs. The only difference is cosmetic shell color. The interior quality and composition of the egg remains the same.
White eggs come from old chickens
This myth involves the false idea that as a chicken ages, their eggs fade from brown to white. In reality, egg color is set by genetics from the start and does not change as the hen ages. A hen’s egg color will remain constant throughout her life.
White eggs are bigger than brown eggs
Another common misconception is that white chicken eggs are larger than brown eggs. But in truth, shell color does not correlate to egg size at all. Egg size is dependent on chicken breed – some breeds lay extra large or jumbo eggs, while others lay smaller pullet sized eggs. But color is irrelevant.
Other Factors Affecting Egg Color
While genetics are the main determinant of egg color, there are some other minor factors that can impact final shell hue:
Diet
Feeding chickens additional pigments through their diet can slightly deepen egg color. Common additives include marigold petals, chili peppers, or algae meal. However, diet cannot completely change or override a bird’s natural egg color.
Environment
Extremely high temperatures can cause a hen’s brown eggs to fade to a lighter color over time. This is because the high heat impacts pigment formation. To maintain rich egg color, ensure chickens have access to shade on extremely hot days.
Age
As mentioned above, a chicken’s egg color does not change with age. However, very young pullets may lay eggs with slightly lighter shell color that gradually deepens as she matures.
So in summary, while small environmental factors can impact shell color on the margins, genetics are by the far the main determinant of white versus brown eggs.
Should You Keep White Orpingtons?
White Orpington chickens have all the same desirable qualities as the more common buff color variety. They are gentle, make great pets, and are top-notch winter egg layers.
Their beautiful white feathers stand out visually from the typical flock. And those big white eggs they lay certainly look lovely when cartoned and ready for sale!
As long as you are aware they will lay white eggs before purchasing, White Orpington chickens make an excellent addition to both backyard flocks and small farms.
In Summary
While it may seem unusual at first, White Orpingtons lay white eggs simply due to their genetics. By lacking the E gene, they cannot deposit brown eumelanin pigment into their shells. Through generations of selective breeding, the White Orpington was fixed into a true breeding strain that breeds true for white feathers and eggs.
So while the average Orpington lays brown eggs due to the E gene, White Orpingtons have a fixed genetic makeup leading to their signature white eggs. Understanding the basics of chicken egg color genetics helps explain this quirk that often puzzles chicken keepers.
As always, thanks for reading our article! Let us know if you have any other chicken egg color questions.
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