While the shell color of chicken eggs plays an important role for producers, the situation is different for consumers. When it comes to chicken eggs, brown eggs are becoming obsolete. In the future, predominantly white eggs will be available in supermarkets. There are valid reasons for this tendency.
Brown eggs in the minority
It will probably only be a few years before consumers can no longer choose between brown and white eggs in Germany’s supermarkets.
A look at discounters and supermarkets already reveals that brown eggs are in the minority on offer for chicken eggs.
But if you believe the statements of Henner Schönecke – the chairman of the Federal Association of German Egg Producers – there will soon be no more brown chicken eggs. More and more breeders are switching from brown to white eggs.
Economic reasons
There are economic reasons behind the decision. Experience has shown that white chickens have better genetic potential, meaning that these animals live longer, for example. Keeping white chickens is also easier. White chickens are also more mobile than their brown counterparts. White chickens find their water and food more easily. Furthermore, the birds and their eggs are smaller and lighter. The animals find it easier to lay their eggs.
For these reasons, brown eggs are now only available from some regional chicken farmers.
Eggs from white and brown hens
While white hens also lay white eggs, brown-feathered female hens lay brown eggs. According to the egg producer Schönecke, this basic rule is common for chicken breeds living in Germany. Another indication of the color of the eggs laid is the color of the earlobes. Chickens with white earlobes lay white eggs. Chickens with red lobules produce brown eggs.
When you look at Germany’s supermarkets, it is obvious that the proportion of brown eggs sold there is currently only 30 percent. Brown eggs are no longer available at many discount stores. A completely different picture emerged ten years ago, when significantly more brown eggs were sold than white ones.
Different purchasing behavior depending on age group
A customer survey conducted by the Central Association of the German Poultry Industry revealed that older people in particular still prefer brown eggs. Younger consumers usually don’t care about the color of eggs. Experience has shown that they attach greater importance to regionality and animal husbandry.
This means that most consumers don’t care much about egg color.
The only exception is the Easter period, when buyers prefer to purchase white eggs.
No differences in taste
For most consumers it is irrelevant whether white or brown eggs end up in the shopping cart. While brown eggs had a firmer shell a few years and decades ago, this difference no longer exists today. The eggs do not vary in taste either.
2024-04-17 22:35:56