Chicken Breeds That Lay Tinted Eggs
Very pale brown or ivory. A middle ground between white and true brown.
- BasqueEgg count not tracked
Basque chickens are hardy and adaptable with a striking appearance and a calm demeanor.
- AppenzellerEgg count not tracked
Appenzellers are strikingly feathered chickens known for their unique rich history and delightful companionship.
- Icelandic180 eggs/year
Viking-era landrace - every bird unique.
- Lakenvelder180 eggs/year
Black and white shadow-on-a-sheet pattern.
- Fayoumi180 eggs/year
Ancient Egyptian breed naturally resistant to Marek’s.
- Vorwerk170 eggs/year
German buff-bodied bird with black head.
- Phoenix150 eggs/year
Long-tailed Japanese ornamental - tails up to 3 ft.
- Olandsk Dwarf150 eggs/year
Rare Swedish island bantam landrace.
- Old English Game120 eggs/year
Heritage game breed with over 30 color varieties.
- Shamo80 eggs/year
Tall, upright Japanese game fowl.
- Modern Game80 eggs/year
Tall slim show bird with extremely long legs.
- Yokohama80 eggs/year
Saddle and tail feathers that never molt.
- Malay70 eggs/year
World’s tallest chicken - over 30 inches.
- Aseel60 eggs/year
Ancient Indian fighting fowl, now kept for muscle and personality.
What tinted eggs are
"Tinted" is the word keepers and breed standards use for eggs that are not quite white and not quite brown. Think pale beige, light cream or a faint pinkish tan. Under the color, the shell is white, like every chicken egg. A hen that lays tinted eggs adds only a light brown coating at the end of shell formation.
Tinted, cream and pink, what is the difference?
Mostly the eye of the beholder. These names describe points along the same light brown range. Some people call a warm tint pink. Others call a yellow-leaning tint cream. The genetics behind them are similar, with small amounts of brown pigment and, in some breeds, a heavy bloom that changes how the color looks.
Breeds that often lay tinted eggs
Many heritage and fancy breeds fall in this range. Sussex hens often lay tinted to light brown eggs. Brahmas commonly lay light brown to tinted. Some Cochins lay tinted eggs too. Silkies and Faverolles are other common examples. Expect a spread of shades even within one breed, since lines and individual hens differ.
Why tinted eggs vary so much
When the brown coating is this thin, small changes show up clearly. A hen that is laying every day may lay a paler egg than one laying every other day. Hot weather and stress can wash out color for a few weeks. Older hens often lay lighter eggs than they did as pullets. And after the molt, color may return a little stronger.
Using tinted eggs in a mixed carton
Tinted eggs fill the gap between white and brown, so they make a carton look more varied. If you want a rainbow carton, pair a tinted layer with a blue layer, a dark brown layer and an olive layer. The olive egg guide explains how to get the green end of the spectrum.
Myths about tinted eggs
- Tinted eggs are dirty. The color is in the coating, not on top of it. Real dirt washes off. Pigment mostly does not.
- Tinted means a mixed breed. Many purebred heritage breeds are expected to lay tinted eggs.
- Tinted eggs are weaker. Shell strength depends on calcium and age, not color.
Common questions about tinted eggs
Is a tinted egg the same as a light brown egg?
Close. Tinted is usually lighter than what most people call light brown, but the line between them is fuzzy.
Why do some tinted eggs look pink?
A warm tone in the pigment plus a heavy bloom can make the shell look pinkish, especially in soft light.
Do tinted eggs come from older hens?
Not necessarily. Some breeds lay tinted eggs at any age, although many brown layers fade toward a tint as they get older.
