As a proud chicken owner, there’s nothing as rewarding as opening the door of my girls’ nesting boxes to find a rainbow assortment of eggs. Well, you don’t have to wait for pre-dyed Easter eggs. Instead, fill your coop with a suitable chicken breed for beautiful rosy-pink eggs.
The Light Sussex, Easter Eggers, Salmon Faverolles, Asil, and Barred Plymouth Rock can lay pink eggs due to a genetic variation. The hen secretes a biological pigment or protein coating that turns the outer coating pink. However, most of these breeds naturally lay cream or light brown eggs.
The eggshell’s color does not determine or affect the nutritional value or taste of the eggs. However, pink eggs are a fabulous addition to your egg basket. Add the following five breeds to your backyard flock for pretty pink eggs.
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What Chicken Breeds Lay Pink Eggs?
Truth be told, chickens lay eggs in many shades other than the standard white-shelled eggs you find in the store. Instead, they come in an assortment of cream, green, blue, dark brown, and pink colors.
Eggshells primarily consist of calcium; therefore, all eggshells are initially white. However, protoporphyrins, a biological pigment, are secreted from the hen’s uterus and are ultimately responsible for the egg’s color.
Then, pink eggs are the result of “bloom.” The bloom is the cuticle or outermost covering on the eggshell. This protein coating can cause light brown eggs to appear cream or pink.
Focusing on the latter, here are the five chicken breeds that lay eggs with a pretty pink blush.
- Light Sussex
- Easter Eggers
- Salmon Faverolles
- Asil
- Barred Plymouth Rock
However, not all the chickens from these breeds are guaranteed to lay pink. In addition, some eggs may have a distinctly rosy hue, while others only have a slight pink tint.
So, your best bet is to get an adult hen that already lays pink eggs.
Light Sussex
The Sussex chicken stands the test of time, noted as one of the oldest breeds still around today. In addition, these ladies make excellent mommas and lay around 250 large, pale pink or cream eggs per year.
The Light Sussex is a striking and regal-looking breed often considered the quintessential backyard chicken. These birds are graceful with long, broad, flat backs, wide shoulders, and a rectangular build. In addition, the Light Sussex boasts snow-white plumage with a black tail and neck collar.
Their friendly yet gritty nature makes them a brilliant addition for beginners. Chicken owners will enjoy their docile and curious nature.
Light Sussex chickens adapt well to both open and confined spaces. They also make great foragers. In addition, the Sussex breed tolerates warm and cold climates, often laying eggs through the winter.
- Weight: Hens weigh around 7 pounds, and roosters weigh about 9 pounds
- Purpose: Dual-purpose
- Eggs: 240 to 280 large, pale pink or creamy eggs annually
Easter Eggers
Easter Eggers get their cute name from their “butt nuggets” that resemble a rainbow of colors like those we used to hunt for as kids during Easter. Their large eggs range from blue, dark green, seafoam green, and pink.
However, each hen lays a single-color egg. So, it’s safest to get an adult hen that definitely lays pink eggs. Otherwise, enjoy waiting for the rainbow surprise once she matures.
Easter Eggers are often confused with Ameraucanas or Araucanas. However, the girls are a cross breed descending from one of the two breeds mentioned above and bred with any other chicken breed.
Because Easter Eggers aren’t an actual breed with a specific standardization, they can look completely different. Their comb styles, beards, feather colors, and tail feathers all differ – anything goes!
Easter Eggers generally have gentle and friendly temperaments. They also love cuddles and treats, making them fantastic for families with kids.
- Weight: Hens weigh around 4 pounds, and roosters weigh about 5 pounds
- Purpose: Eggs
- Eggs: Around 250 extra-large eggs per year
Salmon Faverolles
Salmon Faverolles are an exotic breed from France. These feather-footed and bearded French ladies boast a riot of fluffy salmon-colored plumage and a pinkish beak.
And they’ve got personalities to match their exotic feathers. Salmon Faverolles have docile, friendly, and comical characters. They are child-friendly and love an occasional cuddle or quietly pottering around your backyard.
You can expect Salmon Faverolles to lay around 180 to 200 pinkish eggs yearly. However, some of the hens may lay light brown eggs.
- Size: Hens weigh around 6.5 pounds, and roosters weigh about 8 pounds
- Purpose: Dual-purpose
- Eggs: 180 to 200 eggs annually
Asil
Asil or Aseel chickens are an ancient Indian breed initially bred for cockfighting. This breed is notoriously challenging to raise due to its overly aggressive temperament. However, although poor layers, Asil hens can lay pink eggs. You can expect as little as 40 to 70 eggs per year.
Asil chickens have a unique appearance, displaying long legs and necks with multi-colored plumage.
Contrary to their aggressive tendency towards other chickens, they are pretty docile around humans. Asil hens also make excellent mothers.
Asil chickens are listed as endangered by the Livestock Conservancy. In addition, they are not widely kept due to their aggressive temperaments and feeble laying skills.
Asil chickens do not tolerate confined spaces well and prefer free-ranging out in the open.
- Size: Hens weigh around 6.5 pounds, and roosters weigh about 8.5 pounds
- Purpose: Ornamental
- Eggs: 40 to 70 small eggs annually
Barred Plymouth Rock
The Barred Plymouth Rock is one of America’s oldest chicken breeds. These hens were the basis of the broiler industry until World War 2, responsible for keeping meat and eggs in the American diet through the rationing times.
These girls remained popular backyard hens due to their hardiness, docile temper, and productive traits. In addition, Plymouth ladies have winning personalities and lay light pink to brown eggs, varying from hen to hen.
The Barred Plymouth Rock makes a fantastic backyard hen for beginners and families. These girls are hardy and famous for their docile and friendly temperament. In addition, they tolerate confinement well but prefer free-ranging, even for limited periods.
- Size: Hens weigh around 7.5 pounds, and roosters weigh about 9.5 pounds
- Purpose: Dual-purpose
- Eggs: 200 to 280 large eggs per year
Conclusion
Pink eggs are pretty rare and only come from certain chicken breeds. However, the Light Sussex, Easter Eggers, Salmon Faverolles, Asil, and Barred Plymouth Rock can lay pink eggs. However, it isn’t the norm.
So, try to find yourself a mature lady that lays pink eggs to ensure your nesting boxes are stocked with rosy pink eggs.
