Recent headlines have suggested that some retailers may move away from stocking brown eggs in favour of white eggs, with claims that hens laying white eggs can remain productive for longer.
While commercial farming decisions are often driven by efficiency, here at Higher Oak Farm we believe there is a much bigger picture worth talking about. Because an egg is far more than its shell colour.
A Rainbow of Eggs
One of the joys of keeping a variety of chicken breeds is collecting eggs each morning and finding a basket filled with different colours. Cream, white, light brown, dark brown, speckled, olive green and even blue eggs can all come from different breeds of hen. Each colour tells a story.
The shell colour is determined by the breed of chicken, not by the quality, taste or nutritional value of the egg. Whether an egg is white, brown, blue or green, what matters most is the care of the hen laying it. For us, diversity is something to celebrate.
More Than Productivity
Modern agriculture has understandably focused on producing food efficiently. However, when efficiency becomes the only measure of value, we risk losing something important. Many traditional and rare breeds may not lay as many eggs as commercial hybrids. Some may have shorter peak laying periods. Others grow more slowly or require different management.
Yet these breeds carry generations of genetic diversity that have been carefully preserved by farmers and poultry keepers across the country. Once a breed disappears, it is impossible to bring it back.
Why Rare Breeds Matter
Britain is home to many wonderful traditional poultry breeds, each with its own unique characteristics, appearance and history.
Rare breeds contribute to:
Genetic diversity within poultry populations
The preservation of agricultural heritage
Greater resilience within farming systems
Educational opportunities for future generations
The beauty and enjoyment of keeping chickens
At Higher Oak Farm, we believe these qualities are worth protecting.
Every Hen Has Value
A hen's worth should not be judged solely by how many eggs she lays during her lifetime.
Some hens produce beautiful dark chocolate-coloured eggs. Others lay striking blue or green eggs. Some are exceptional foragers, while others are calm, friendly birds that delight visitors and families.
Each breed brings something unique.
The same principle applies throughout nature. Biodiversity is not about finding one "best" species and replacing everything else. It is about maintaining a healthy balance of different breeds, characteristics and traits.
Supporting Diversity on the Farm
As custodians of rare and traditional breeds, we see first-hand the importance of protecting poultry diversity. When visitors come to the farm, they are often amazed to discover that eggs naturally come in so many different colours. Children especially love seeing the variety and learning where each egg comes from.
These moments help create a connection between people, farming and the animals that produce our food.
Looking Beyond the Shell
Whether an egg is white, brown, blue or green, what really matters is the welfare of the hen, the quality of her environment and the care provided by the farmer.
At Higher Oak Farm, we will continue championing the wonderful variety of heritage and traditional breeds that make our egg baskets so colourful.
Because farming should not just be about producing more.
It should also be about preserving the things that make our countryside, our livestock and our food system rich in character and diversity.
And that's something worth protecting, whatever colour the egg.
