The colour of an egg’s shell depends on the breed of hen that lays it. In Ontario, most white eggs come from White Leghorn hens, while brown eggs typically come from Rhode Island Red hens.
White Leghorns are the most common breed used for egg production in Canada. Rhode Island Reds are also commonly raised for their brown eggs.
Does the colour of an egg affect its nutrition? No. White and brown eggs have essentially the same nutritional value. The difference in shell colour comes from the breed of hen, not the nutritional quality of the egg.
Watch Mike, the poultry veterinarian, explain more about the different breeds of hens and the eggs they lay in the video below.