Plain Talk Lessons From the Coop

Chicken Chatter Rainbow Eggspectations

Feed the Flock Subjects: Science and Math Educate students on the nutritional needs of chickens. Cover the different lifecycles— chick to pullet to adult— and what to feed them at each stage.

In this lesson include:

• Types of feed such as fermented feed, grains, crumble and pellets.

• The type of feed needed at each life stage— chicks, pullets and adults.

• Supplemental feed such as grit, mealworms and scratch.

• The importance of calcium in the chicken’ s diet.

• Other considerations such as vitamins and minerals.

• And, of course, plenty of fresh water.

Also consider sharing information about kitchen food scraps. Introduce options that are safe for chickens such as fruits, oats and herbs. Also include what not to feed chickens such as avocado, tomatoes, potatoes and moldy or old foods.

After the lesson, task the students with researching and creating their own feed mix. Have them compare costs and observe which mix a flock of chickens prefers.

Create a Chicken Care Guide Subjects: Art, Writing and Research Now that your students have learned about the

housing and nutritional needs of chickens, have them research and compile a“ How to Raise a Chicken” guide.

This guide should include illustrations and sections for detailed information and how-tos. Students should include:

• How to choose your chickens: Research different breeds and include a diagram or chart. Each breed should have an illustration and include information on egg production and color, if they’ re ideal for meat production, temperament and hot or cold hardiness.

• Housing: Learn how to house chickens properly so that they are secure. Include information on space, roosting, nesting boxes, ventilation, predator proofing and cleaning schedules.

• Feed and watering: Study types of feed, supplemental feed, treats and water.

• Chicken health: Explore and address chicken hygiene, parasites and diseases, veterinary care, handling and socialization needs.

• Care schedule: Write down daily, weekly and monthly care tasks.

Together, these lessons give students practical skills and a clear understanding of what it takes to raise and care for chickens, turning the classroom into a place of real-world learning.

By Alexandra Doss

When you open a farm-fresh egg carton and find hues ranging from robin’ s egg blue to olive green, speckled brown and even creamy pink, it’ s hard not to smile.

Colored eggs have become a symbol of backyard chicken keeping and breed diversity, a small but powerful reminder that nature rarely sticks to just one shade. But where do these colors come from, and what do they tell us about the hens that lay them?

Let’ s dive into the fascinating realm of colored eggs— from the biology behind shell pigmentation to the breeds known for their beautiful eggs— and how you can curate your own rainbow basket.

The Science Behind the Shell

Contrary to popular belief, all eggs start white. That’ s right— regardless of the final shell color, the base structure of every egg is white calcium carbonate. Pigmentation happens at the very end of the egg formation process, in the hen’ s shell gland, during the last few hours before laying.

Two main pigments are responsible for most colored eggs:

• Oocyanin: This pigment is responsible for blue eggs and is deposited throughout the entire shell thickness. That means a blue egg is blue both inside and out. Oocyanin is a bile byproduct.

• Protoporphyrin: A pigment derived from hemoglobin, it is deposited only on the outer surface of the shell and gives shades of brown, chocolate, tan and speckled hues.

Green and olive-colored eggs come from a combination of both pigments— blue pigment throughout the shell, overlaid with brown on the surface. Speckles are often excess calcium or pigment irregularly deposited. The bloom( cuticle) layer can hold much of the brown pigment, affecting interior color on some green eggs.

The shell color does not affect the flavor or nutrition of the egg, but it does serve as a visual hallmark of genetic diversity and a hen’ s lineage.

Factors Influencing Eggshell Color While genetics is the primary determinant of egg color, a few other factors can subtly influence the final hue:

• Age of the Hen: Many hens lay darker eggs early in their laying cycle, which gradually lighten as they age and as the season progresses.

• Stress: Heat, cold, flock dynamics and predator pressure can interrupt pigment deposition.

• Diet: Though pigment isn’ t formed from food colorants, a poor diet can affect the hen’ s overall health and ability to produce consistently pigmented eggs.

• Lighting and Season: Some hens will lay deeper-colored eggs in cooler months due to changes in photoperiod and metabolic activity.

Despite these influences, shell color will always stay within the genetic range of the individual bird.

Breeds and Their Beautiful Eggs

If you’ re dreaming of a rainbow basket, you’ ll need to choose your breeds wisely. Here’ s a look at some common and rare breeds known for their egg colors:

Blue Egg Layers

• Ameraucana: These American birds lay medium blue eggs and have distinct muffs and

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