The main difference between brown eggs and white eggs is that red or brown chickens with red earlobes lay brown eggs whereas white chickens with white earlobes lay white eggs. However, the nutritional value of both types of eggs is quite similar. But, brown eggs may contain more omega-3 fatty acids than white eggs.

Brown eggs and white eggs are the two types of eggs the chickens lay. Genes that determine the feather color of a chicken is responsible for the shell color of the eggs they lay.

Key Areas Covered

1. What are Brown Eggs
     – Definition, Facts
2. What are White Eggs
     – Definition, Facts
3. What are the Similarities Between Brown Eggs and White Eggs
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Brown Eggs and White Eggs
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms: Brown Eggs, Chickens, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Protoporphyrin IX, White Eggs

What are Brown Eggs

Brown eggs are the eggs with a brown color shell. Red or brown chickens that have red earlobes lay brown color eggs. The brown color is due to the pigment, protoporphyrin IX. It is a biologically active tetrapyrrole.

Figure 1: Brown Eggs and White Eggs

The two main components of an egg are egg white and egg yolk. Eggs do not contain carbohydrates at all. They are the least expensive source of high-quality proteins. A single egg consists of 6 g of protein. Egg yolk is rich in fat from which 27% is saturated fat. Brown eggs are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

What are White Eggs

White eggs are the eggs with a white color shell. White feathered-chickens with white color earlobes lay white eggs. Generally, white eggs are nutritionally similar to brown eggs. Since people think that brown is always good for health, brown color eggs are more expensive in the market than white eggs.

Figure 2: Brown and White Color Hens

Similarities Between Brown Eggs and White Eggs

• Both brown eggs and white eggs are similar in size and nutritional value.
• Younger chickens lay eggs with hard shells when compared to older chickens.
• The type of feed affects the nutritional level and the colour of the yolk.
• Eggshell consists of 7-17 thousand tiny pores.

Difference Between Brown Eggs and White Eggs

Definition

Brown Eggs: Eggs with a brown color shell

White Eggs: Eggs with a white color shell

Laid by

Brown Eggs: Laid by red or brown chickens with red earlobes

White Eggs: Laid by white chickens with white earlobes 

Size of the Chickens

Brown Eggs: Red or brown chickens are large

White Eggs: White chickens are small

Efficiency

Brown Eggs: Brown egg-chickens cost more to feed and raise.

White Eggs: White egg-chickens are cost-efficient.

Price

Brown Eggs: Brown eggs are more expensive than white ones.

White Eggs: White eggs are cheap.

Conclusion

Brown eggs and white eggs are two types of eggs the chicken lay. Brown color chickens lay brown eggs while white color eggs lay white color eggs. Further, brown eggs may contain more omega-3 fatty acids than white eggs. Other than that, there is no significant difference between brown eggs and white eggs.

Reference:

1. Fischer, Fern. “The Advantages of Brown Eggs.” LIVESTRONG.COM, Leaf Group, 3 Oct. 2017, Available here.
1. “Egg Nutrition.” Incredible Egg, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “rooster, nature, animal, beak, cockerel, poultry, bird, chicken” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “2580904” (CC0) via Pixino

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