White-egg-laying chickens used to be the norm, but nowadays the majority of backyard flocks lay brown eggs (or feature a range of colors). What chickens lay white eggs?
The truth is that there’s a reason white egg hens were the norm until recently: they’re among the most trustworthy and adaptable varieties. White egg chickens are frequently your best option if you want minimum upkeep and great production.
You may also want to read about the best laying mash for chickens.
White-egg laying hens
When it comes to backyard flocks and commercial production, white eggs used to be the norm. When it comes to the eggshell color, the breed of the hens is more important than how they were raised, contrary to a widespread misunderstanding that “brown eggs are healthier” or “brown eggs signify farm fresh” that dates back approximately 50 years or so.
You can have practically any color of chicken eggs if you choose the correct breed, including easter egg chicken breeds that lay blue eggs and olive egger varieties that produce green eggs. Make sure to give your chickens a good layer feed.
Strangely, white egg-laying hens are once again becoming popular as owners want to include a variety of egg hues in their backyard flock. They’re tough, trustworthy layers that do the job, and adding a vibrant splash of white is a terrific way to spruce up an egg basket with a little contrast.
WHERE DO WHITE CHICKEN EGGS COME FROM?
No matter what color they are, all chicken eggs start out in the hen’s ovary, which is her single ovary. In the ovary, a yolk develops during ovulation. The yolk is known as an oocyte at these very early stages; once developed, it is discharged into the oviduct where it will mature into a complete egg with a shell.
The oocyte develops all of its properties in the oviduct, a two-foot tube area of the hen’s anatomy, during the course of 24 to 26 hours. A rooster can fertilize an egg as it is transiting through the oviducts.
At the very end of this procedure, calcium carbonite, a naturally white mineral, is used to create the eggshell. This marks the completion of the procedure for white chicken eggs. Pigment is introduced to colored eggs (of any color) during the final 90 minutes before the egg is laid.
WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF WHITE EGG CHICKENS?
White egg hens come from all over the world, unlike some breeds that lay an extremely specific hue of egg, such as blue eggers (which, for the most part, originated in South America).
The breeds of white egg-laying chickens listed below are native to nations including Turkey, Egypt, Italy, Spain, and the United States. If you decide to keep any of the following breeds, I would highly recommend doing more study on the geographical origin of those chickens because it reveals a lot about the breed and its history.
TOP 8 CHICKEN BREEDS THAT LAY WHITE EGGS
There is a large range of options available when it comes to hens that lay white eggs in terms of size (both of the bird and the eggs themselves), temperament, hardiness, and breed origin. Consider your available space, including the size of your coop and any outdoor space, as well as any applicable noise by-laws.
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White eggs can be easily obtained from a variety of chicken breeds, and the following list of breeds will provide you with the crucial details you need to make an informed decision.
1. BLACK MINORCA
This breed was developed on the Spanish island of Minorca, where the chickens were initially bred for their huge size (fun fact: Black Minorcas are the biggest out of all the Mediterranean breeds). Although Black Minorca chickens aren’t particularly famed for their egg-laying prowess (they only produce about 120 eggs year), their gigantic white eggs are regarded as being the biggest of any common breed.
These birds are extremely tolerant of warm temperatures because of their ancestry; they are by no means a cold-hardy breed. Black Minorcas make good foragers and do well when given free rein to roam the yard. This breed is ideal for home cooks, provided you don’t mind a reduced fresh egg yield, as their enormous eggs make excellent additions to egg dishes and egg-based baked items.
2. WHITE LEGHORNS
White Leghorns are a highly productive egg-layer; you can expect 5 to 6 large or extra-large eggs each week, or up to 320 eggs per year, from this additional Mediterranean breed (this time from Tuscany, Italy). White Leghorns are medium-sized chickens with white feathers and a red comb that weigh between 5 and 8 pounds.
Leghorns are not broodies; rather, they are practical egg layers who are not renowned for being affectionate toward people or their own kids. As long as there is a source of protective cover, White Leghorns can withstand the cold quite well, and they can also handle the heat fairly well. Leghorns should be kept in mind because they tend to make a lot of noise and are better suited to country coops than urban ones.
3. ANCONA
Ancona chickens are a breed that originated in Italy and are thought to be closely related to Leghorns. Ancona hens are superior egg layers, just like Leghorn hens, laying 5 or more medium- to large-sized white eggs every week or up to 280 in a year. Anconas have eye-catching black feathers with distinctive white v-tips.
Anconas are warm season resilient and will tolerate cold temperatures if provided protection from the elements because of their Mediterranean heritage. Anconas are social birds and will do well in flocks of three or more other birds or more.
4. POLISH
These beautiful birds, a white egger with a spectacular crest of brilliant fanned-out feathers, were a favorite of the French aristocracy in the 1700s. In truth, in 1736, the deposed King of Poland fled from France with his flock of Polish hens. You can anticipate this lovely breed to lay 3 to 4 medium-sized white eggs per week, or up to 200 in a year.
These birds thrive in captivity, always preferring a tidy coop, and have exceptionally curious minds that might result in dangerous circumstances if they are allowed to roam free. Polish hens can even be kept as pets by young children and are renowned for their gentle, peaceful dispositions. Polish hens should be kept dry and away from cold temperatures due to their elaborate feathering, which is prone to freezing and clumping.
5. HOLLAND
Holland chickens are a medium-sized, dual-purpose breed that were first produced in the US because they lay a lot of eggs in addition to being bred for their meat. Both the Barred and White varieties of Holland chickens, which come in three to four medium- to large-sized white eggs per week or up to 240 in a year, are available. This breed is renowned for having many admirable qualities, such as adaptability, docility, joy, and gentleness.
It should come as no surprise that Holland chickens are broody and provide great care for their young. Giving this species plenty of space to forage and move freely can help them thrive. Hollands are a pretty tough bird in both hot and cold weather, but when the temperature lowers, they should be protected from frostbite.
6. EGYPTIAN FAYOUMI
Egyptian Fayoumi chickens are a breed that originated in ancient Egypt during the Pharaoh era, albeit they are relatively new to the United States. You can anticipate Egyptian Fayoumi hens to lay between 150 and 200 little white eggs per year, making them a very lovely addition to any egg basket. These chickens are now known for being respectable egg layers.
This breed enjoys free-range living and is very alert of potential predators and food supplies. Egyptian Fayoumis, a breed that is capable of flight, will roost in trees given the chance. You should be informed that Egyptian Fayoumi hens aren’t the friendliest breed and aren’t likely to get attached to their human owners.
7. CALIFORNIA WHITE
If California Whites’ white feathers weren’t coated in tiny black polka dots, this breed would be simple to confuse with White Leghorns. The hens, a medium-sized breed, are incredible egg producers, producing up to 300 jumbo-sized white eggs annually (if you didn’t know any better, you may think they were duck eggs!).
California Whites are a low-maintenance breed that is sociable, calm, and wonderful in many respects. Although California Whites enjoy having unrestricted freedom to wander, they are also tolerant of both extremes of heat and cold.
8. HAMBURG
It is believed that Turkey is where the ancient breed of chickens known as Hamburgs initially appeared. Hamburgs were eventually imported to Germany, where the breed received its current name. Hamburg hens are a little decorative breed that lay 120 to 225 small to medium-sized white eggs every year, depending greatly on the hen’s age.
Although Hamburg chickens are attentive and lively, this breed is more well-known for its flightiness than for its sociability. These birds, another breed with the ability to fly, favor roosting at great heights in trees and hedgerows. Hamburgs dislike being confined in any way, hence their tolerance of extreme cold and heat is a crucial behavioral characteristic.
