Because eggshells are primarily calcium, all eggshells start white inside the hen.
- White eggshells will be white all the way through
- Brown eggshells will be white on the inside
- Blue eggshells are blue all the way through
- Green eggshells will be blue on the inside and green on the outside
As the hen forms the shell, a hen with colored eggs secretes pigments called “porphyrins” from cells inside her uterus to add color.
Blue egg layers add pigment early in the shell formation process, which is why they are blue all the way through.
A combo of blue and brown pigments produces a green shell color, like an Olive Egger.
Hens who lay white eggs do not produce any pigments during shell formation.
Each dozen of “RainbowDream Organics” eggs are carefully gathered by hand, gently wiped to keep the protective “bloom” on the eggs and packed according to the color gradation available on that day.
Chicken breeds have been selected based on a variety of factors, including temperament, heritage, egg color, and productivity.
At Willapa Bay Heritage Farm, all of our eggs meet the criteria for cage-free, free-range, and humanely raised.
We currently package 3 different egg collections:
1) our standard organic eggs;
2) our “no corn, no soy” eggs, which may be good for people with allergies to corn and/or soy*; and
3) our “extra jumbo” half dozens, averaging over 3 ounces each, often double yolked.