Egg Myths Busted: Separating Fact from Fiction for World Egg Day

As backyard chicken keepers, we all take pride in gathering fresh eggs and ensuring our flocks are happy and healthy. But even experienced chicken keepers sometimes fall for common egg myths. 

In honor of World Egg Day, let’s take a moment to bust some of the most persistent myths about eggs and get the facts straight. Whether you’ve been raising chickens for years or are just starting out, understanding the truth behind these misconceptions will help you manage your flock more effectively and enjoy those delicious eggs even more.

1. Brown Eggs Are Healthier than White Eggs

Myth: Brown eggs are more nutritious and healthier than white eggs.

Fact: Egg color has nothing to do with nutrition. Whether brown, white, or even blue, an egg’s nutritional value is determined by the hen’s diet, not its shell color. Different breeds of chickens lay different colored eggs, but they all provide the same benefits when hens are fed properly.

2. Double-Yolked Eggs Mean a Hen Is in Trouble

Myth: A hen laying double-yolked eggs is experiencing reproductive issues.

Fact: Double-yolked eggs are usually produced by young hens whose reproductive systems are still maturing. It’s completely normal and not a sign of trouble. In fact, many chicken keepers see these eggs as lucky!

3. Fertilized Eggs Are Unsafe to Eat

Myth: You can’t eat fertilized eggs because they are unsafe or taste different.

Fact: Fertilized eggs are perfectly safe to eat. The presence of a rooster simply means the egg could develop into a chick if incubated, but fertilized eggs look, taste, and behave exactly the same as unfertilized eggs when used in cooking. They will only develop into a chick if they are incubated at a steady temperature of 99-102 F for 21 days!

4. Eggshell Color Affects Taste

Myth: Brown eggs taste richer than white eggs.

Fact: The taste of an egg is determined by what the hen eats, not the color of the shell. Chickens that forage on diverse diets or are fed high-quality feed produce richer-tasting eggs, but the shell color has no impact on flavor.

5. Floating Eggs Are Rotten

Myth: If an egg floats in water, it’s gone bad.

Fact: Floating eggs are simply older because they have absorbed more air into the shell. While they’re not as fresh, many floating eggs are still perfectly safe to eat. Always crack the egg into a separate bowl to check for freshness before use.

6. Eggs Must Be Refrigerated Immediately

Myth: Eggs should be washed and refrigerated immediately after collection.

Fact: In the U.S., washed eggs should be refrigerated due to the removal of their protective “bloom,” which helps block bacteria. However, clean unwashed eggs can be safely stored at room temperature for several weeks, as the bloom naturally protects them.

7. Hens Won’t Lay in the Winter

Myth: Egg production stops in winter due to cold weather.

Fact: It’s not the cold but the shorter daylight hours that slow down egg production. By providing supplemental light in the coop, you can help hens maintain their laying rate even in the colder months. Just be sure not to overdo it—chickens still need time to rest.

8. Roosters Are Required for Eggs

Myth: You need a rooster for hens to lay eggs.

Fact: Hens will lay eggs without a rooster, but these eggs will be unfertilized and won’t develop into chicks. Roosters are only necessary if you want fertilized eggs for hatching.

9. Blood Spots in Eggs Mean They’re Unsafe

Myth: Blood spots in eggs are a sign that the egg is unsafe to eat.

Fact: Blood spots occur when a tiny blood vessel in the hen’s reproductive system breaks during egg formation. They’re completely safe to eat and can easily be removed if desired.

10. Old Hens Stop Laying Altogether

Myth: Hens stop laying eggs entirely as they get older.

Fact: While egg production declines with age, older hens don’t stop laying altogether. They may lay fewer eggs, but those eggs will still be just as nutritious and delicious.

Celebrate World Egg Day with Fresh Knowledge!

This World Egg Day, celebrate by debunking these myths and sharing the facts with fellow backyard chicken enthusiasts. Whether you're optimizing your hens' diets, fine-tuning their nesting routines, or learning more about egg quality, busting these myths will help you get the most out of your flock. Fresh, homegrown eggs are one of the greatest rewards of raising chickens—let’s make sure we’re appreciating them based on facts, not fiction!

Happy chicken keeping!

Rachael at Dine a Chook