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County fair judge docked me for having white eggs instead of brown - is color really that important? | Backyard Chicken Keepers - HW Forums

fiona_scott44•3mo ago

County fair judge docked me for having white eggs instead of brown - is color really that important?

I entered four of my hens in the county fair last weekend over in Clackamas. My leghorns lay these beautiful white eggs, clean shells, consistent shape. But the judge passed me over and told me quote "brown eggs are what serious keepers aim for." Now I'm sitting here wondering if I should switch breeds or if that judge was just stuck in their ways. I get that brown eggs have a certain look for farmers markets and whatnot. But does shell color actually mean anything for egg quality or hen health? I've had leghorns for 3 years now and they lay like clockwork, never had a complaint from neighbors buying them. Has anyone else run into this brown egg bias at competitions or am I just overthinking one grumpy judge?

2 comments

2 Comments

dixon.willow3mo ago

Ha! That judge was full of it. Shell color is just genetics, pure and simple. Brown eggs come from breeds like Rhode Islands and Orpingtons, white from Leghorns and such. Nothing to do with quality. Here's the thing nobody mentions: white eggs are actually easier to candle for freshness and defects. The clear shell shows everything. Brown shells can hide hairline cracks or blood spots that you'd catch instantly on a white egg. Your Leghorns are fine. Sounds like that judge just has a personal preference for the "farm fresh aesthetic" and let it cloud their judgment. Keep your birds if they're healthy and laying well.

charlesj463mo ago

Disagree a bit on that candling point. Ngl, I've candled thousands of eggs over the years, brown shells or white shells don't really hide much unless you're rushing. A good candling light cuts through both. Honestly, the real quality difference comes down to the hen's diet and age, not the shell color. Your Leghorns might lay a more consistent white egg than some brown egg layers at the same feed, so that judge was just being fussy. Tbh, keeping them based on what you like is the right move anyway.