Blue eggs chicken breeds are not a new addition, nor were they developed by humans as part of some bizarre experiment. Blue eggs are a fully natural occurrence. The colors of their eggs reflect how diverse the animal kingdom is. Some birds produce stunning green, brown, and even pink eggs. The blue eggs that birds lay are thought to be among the most beautiful.
In this Article;
Birds that lay blue eggs
The entire egg is blue because the blue oocyanin completely permeates the eggshell. However, regardless of whether the eggshell is blue, dark brown, or any other color, all eggs are wholesome and healthy. Here are some birds that lay blue eggs;
1. Ameraucana
Araucanas are a pure breed of chicken that was first created in the USA from historic South American blue egg-laying breeds. Since the 1970s, they have been acknowledged by the country as a distinct breed. They’ll consistently lay blue eggs. The breed comes in a variety of stunning colors and is friendly and gentle overall especially the roosters. It is a moderate layer, laying around 3–4 eggs of a medium size every week. Expect your eggs at 18–20 weeks, but be aware that it can be a bit of a slow starter.
2. Araucana
A domestic chicken breed from Chile is known as Araucana. It is believed to have originated in Chile’s Araucana region, and it was first bred in the 1930s in the United States. It lays eggs with blue shells. The Araucana is noted for its highly energizing nature, which may either be translated as exceedingly flighty or extremely interested and friendly toward humans. It produces 250 blue eggs annually. The shells are blue not just on the outside, but also inside.
3. Easter Egger
The term “Easter-egger” refers to any hybrid or mixed-breed chicken produced by crossing a bird with the blue-egg (oocyan) gene with a bird that lays brown eggs. It first gained attention in the 1970s. They are a fun variety since you never know for sure until a hen starts to lay what color you will receive—will it be blue? Blue-green? As a result, they are also frequently referred to as Rainbow Layers. Easter Egger chickens have a reputation for being excellent egg layers and can lay roughly four eggs each week. The eggs are often very large in size.
4. Cream Legbar
Legbar chickens are a rare auto-sexing variety found mostly in Britain. At Cambridge University’s Genetical Institute, Reginald Crundall Punnett and Michael Pease developed it at the start of the 20th century. They are a very energetic and alert breed. Additionally, they fit in well with most environments, and some of them are particularly fluttery. Averaging 4 medium-sized light blue eggs per week, or about 230 eggs annually, Cream Legbars are exceptionally productive layers.
5. Whiting True Blue
A poultry geneticist by the name of Dr. Tom Whiting developed the breed of chickens known as Whiting true blue. They are friendly and have a good tolerance for heat. On the grassland, they thrive. A blue egg is consistently laid by Whiting True Blues. A hen’s likelihood of being set is low and therefore makes great layers. Given proper nourishment, egg size will begin with medium eggs and increase to large eggs. A year will have 280–300 eggs laid by Whiting True Blues.
6. Azure Blue
The Azure Blue is a robust and sociable bird that was bred for its distinctive blue eggshell color, shell strength, and distinctive plumage. It is not an old purebred chicken. It was only recently bred with a focus on smallness. They produce beautiful and high-quality eggs, making them perfect for home and small-scale egg producers. Each year, the Azure Blue will lay about 295 eggs.
7. Arkansas Blue
Another recent hybrid is Arkansas Blue. It is a research breed developed at the University of Arkansas that lays blue eggs and is a mix between a White Leghorn and an Araucana. A superior layer that produces between 250 and 350 eggs annually. They are not suitable for being maintained as pets in the backyard. They are quickly alarmed and don’t get along with people or other chicken species.
Which birds lay blue eggs with brown spots?
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher; This bird is little and has relatively few feathers on its body. The native birds of North America, known as Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers, can be recognized by their long tails. These birds can lay up to five eggs at once during each clutch. These eggs have brown markings all over them and are a light blue tint. These specks can at times also be red. Additionally, these eggs only measure 0.6 inches in length, which is quite little.
What makes the eggs of these chickens blue?
To begin with, every egg is white. Protoporphyrin, a dye that is taken from hemoglobin, is used in the uterus to start the coloring process. The procedure is very different for blue eggs, though. The liver pigment oocyanin begins to mix with the calcium carbonate during the commencement of eggshell production. In this way, the eggs are blue on the inside and out.
Does egg color affect nutritional value?
The nutritional value of chicken eggs primarily depends on the size of the egg and yolk, the chicken’s diet, its health, and how much sun exposure it receives for increased Vitamin D3. No color of the egg has a nutritional advantage over any other. The nutrition of an egg can, however, be impacted by a hen’s food and environment.
Conclusion
The fact that several bird species lay blue eggs is something that many people are unaware of. They are therefore plainly surprised when they see a bird with a blue egg. Most often, birds that live in the northern hemisphere of the Earth lay blue eggs because the interior is protected by the colored shell.
Since ancient times, blue chicken eggs have existed. The blue egg-laying birds’ lethal genes, however, caused them to be numbered. A safer method of producing blue eggs has recently been discovered by agricultural scientists. We will undoubtedly encounter new creatures that lay blue eggs in the future.
Sam is a blogger and an entrepreneur. More about Bio