An egg's color is determined by the color of the ear lobe and feathers of a chicken. Chickens with white ear lobes and feathers lay white eggs. Chickens with red ear lobes and feathers lay brown eggs. A shell's coloring is a result of pigments being created during the formation of the egg. The color of the egg has no reflection on the quality or flavor of the egg.
Only a few of the approximately 200 breeds of chickens worldwide are used to produce eggs. A common white egg producer in the United States is the single-comb White Leghorn. Golden Comet chickens and Rhode Island Reds are popular hens used to produce brown eggs.
Golden Comet chickens lay large, golden-brown eggs. The breed gets its name from its golden red feathers. Rhode Island Red chickens also lay large eggs, ranging in color from light to very dark brown. Reds are considered one of the finest looking chickens due to their dark reddish purple feathers. Both of these breeds of chickens are big hens and eat more than white hens. Therefore, the brown eggs tend to be more expensive than the white eggs.
Single-comb White Leghorn hens are small in size and adapt well to most climates. The breed matures early and lays a large number of white eggs. It is considered the most popular hen for egg production in the United States. The California White is a mix between the Leghorn and a Production Black chicken. Its white feathers have black flecks and it is known for its large, smooth-shelled eggs.