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Many people believe brown eggs are healthier than white eggs, but that’s not actually true.

One of the most common beliefs in Lagos markets is that brown eggs are healthier than white eggs. Many buyers are willing to pay more simply because of the color. But the truth is, this belief is a myth.

Why eggs come in different colors

The color of an egg depends on the type of chicken that lays it. Chickens with red feathers typically lay brown eggs, while chickens with white feathers lay white eggs. This difference is purely genetic and has nothing to do with the quality or nutritional value of the egg.

The difference is just the type of chicken — not the nutrition.

Myth: Brown Eggs Are Healthier Than White Eggs

One of the most common beliefs in Lagos markets is that brown eggs are healthier than white eggs. Many buyers are willing to pay more simply because of the color. But the truth is, this belief is a myth.

Why eggs come in different colors
The color of an egg depends on the type of chicken that lays it. Chickens with red feathers typically lay brown eggs, while chickens with white feathers lay white eggs. This difference is purely genetic and has nothing to do with the quality or nutritional value of the egg.

Do brown eggs have more nutrients?
No. Both brown and white eggs contain the same amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals. The nutritional value of an egg depends more on how the chicken is raised and fed, not the color of the shell.

Same protein content
Same vitamins and minerals
Same overall nutritional value

Why brown eggs are sometimes more expensive
Brown eggs are often more expensive because the chickens that lay them consume more feed and are usually larger. This increases the cost of production, not the quality of the egg itself.

What Lagos buyers should focus on
Instead of focusing on egg color, buyers should pay attention to freshness and handling. Fresh eggs with proper storage will always give better cooking results.

Check for clean shells
Avoid eggs with cracks
Buy from trusted suppliers

How freshness affects cooking results

Fresh eggs perform better in cooking, whether you are frying, boiling, or using them in recipes. The same principle applies to poultry in general, where freshness directly affects taste and quality, as explained in From Farm to Table: How Fresh Poultry Is Delivered in Lagos.

Cooking eggs with natural ingredients
Using natural ingredients like onions, pepper, and herbs can enhance the taste of eggs just like poultry dishes. This approach is explained in How to Cook Chicken with Local Herbs Without Maggi.

Understanding food choices beyond appearance
Many food myths are based on appearance rather than facts. Just like choosing the right poultry cuts for cooking affects your meals, as explained in Best Chicken Cuts for Stew, Pepper Soup, and Grilling, understanding the real value of eggs helps you make better buying decisions.

Buying eggs in larger quantities
For families and events, buying eggs in bulk is common. Proper storage and handling are important to maintain freshness and avoid spoilage. This is similar to bulk poultry buying, as discussed in Fresh Chicken for Parties in Lagos: How to Buy in Bulk Safely.

Final thoughts
Brown eggs are not healthier than white eggs. The difference is only the type of chicken that lays them. Instead of focusing on color, Lagos buyers should focus on freshness, handling, and source. A fresh egg—whether brown or white will always give the best result in your kitchen.

https://delefreshfarms.com/post/myth-brown-eggs-are-healthier-than-white-eggs

Which one do you usually buy?

Written by Bamidele Alimi
Delefresh Farms, Lagos

Chai, this guy don spoil my market.

Really? Someone please confirm or dispel this.

😂 No wahala boss, no be to spoil market o na to help people understand better.

At the end of the day, both brown and white eggs still good. Just that many people think brown eggs are more nutritious, which is not really true.

Na the chicken breed determine the color, not the quality.

But I understand say market talk dey different from real-life explanation 😄

kpankpangolo:
Chai, this guy don spoil my market.

Yes, it’s actually a well-known fact in poultry.

The color of the egg depends on the breed of the chicken. For example, chickens with red feathers usually lay brown eggs, while white-feathered chickens lay white eggs.

Nutritionally, both eggs are the same same protein, same vitamins.

The difference people notice sometimes is from how the chicken is raised (feed, environment), not the egg color itself.

You can even check verified sources online, they all confirm the same thing.

CodeTemplar:
Really? Someone please confirm or dispel this.

This post sounds racist Black eggs are the best. Repost👇

Eggs from black chicken, are believed to be high in nutrition. The eggs contain a higher amount of proteins (25.47%) compared to white chicken eggs. The eggs are found effective against headaches, asthma, kidney issues, iron deficiency, and quick recovery after delivery.


https://www.tiktok.com/video/7481370767276444970

False... No egg is healthier than another irrespective of color

Thanks for this information

Na who dey see money to buy egg on a steady go dey worry about this ones

How about local birds eggs??
I, heard local hen eggs 🥚
Get nutrients pass chemical built birds

All eggs are not the same, you can't compare eggs gotten from free range local birds to the popular known "agric eggs ", they're not in the same class, irrespective of color.

Thanks for the clarification on the colours

Is it same for eggs from free range chickens and eggs from caged chickens?

E be like hunger neva give you handshake, nah why you still dey select colours of eggs.🥱🥱

delefresh:
Yes, it’s actually a well-known fact in poultry.

The color of the egg depends on the breed of the chicken. For example, chickens with red feathers usually lay brown eggs, while white-feathered chickens lay white eggs.

Nutritionally, both eggs are the same same protein, same vitamins.

The difference people notice sometimes is from how the chicken is raised (feed, environment), not the egg color itself.

You can even check verified sources online, they all confirm the same thing.

But local hen whether it's brown, black or white lay white colour egg

That's what we eat in young age

Now

I know breeder broilers lay big white egg, though not commonly found except in hatchery

And Isa brown pullet lay brown

Well

muyico:
How about local birds eggs??
I, heard local hen eggs 🥚
Get nutrients pass chemical built birds

Which wan be chemical built hen

If you have money can't you feed your local chicken with feeds and vitamin supplements

And they will lay more, grow bigger too

You people are funny

soccerlite:
Which wan be chemical built hen

If you have money can't you feed your local chicken with feeds and vitamin supplements

And they will lay more, grow bigger too

You people are funny

local hens can't lay like agric birds!
I, try it b4
Don't work

soccerlite:
Which wan be chemical built hen

If you have money can't you feed your local chicken with feeds and vitamin supplements

And they will lay more, grow bigger too

You people are funny

I see “free ranged chivken” and “caged chicken ” I burst laugh.😅😅 Humans have this way of expressing their thoughts by any means relatable.

its not related. It's actually caused by the feed the poultry birds eats.

Agriculture is life

You all are not hungry at all. Una get time to explain

delefresh:
https://delefreshfarms.com/post/myth-brown-eggs-are-healthier-than-white-eggs

Which one do you usually buy?

Written by Bamidele Alimi
Delefresh Farms, Lagos

False
Its a myth...no difference

The difference in shell colour comes from the breed of the chicken, not the nutritional value. Both brown and white eggs have essentially the same protein, vitamins etc

Very good point

Many people believe local/free-range eggs are healthier because the birds move naturally and eat different things compared to commercial layers.

But here’s another question.

Do you think the difference comes more from the breed… or from what the birds are fed?

Because even local birds can produce poor eggs if feeding and management are bad.

Curious to hear other opinions on this.

soccerlite:
But local hen whether it's brown, black or white lay white colour egg

That's what we eat in young age

Now

I know breeder broilers lay big white egg, though not commonly found except in hatchery

And Isa brown pullet lay brown

Well

Nutritionally, the difference is usually not as massive as people think.

But: feeding, bird health, stress level, hygiene, and freshness

can affect egg quality and taste.

Some people also say free-range eggs have deeper yolk colour and stronger taste.

Has anyone here done a real side-by-side comparison before?

manuelkel:
I see “free ranged chivken” and “caged chicken ” I burst laugh.😅😅 Humans have this way of expressing their thoughts by any means relatable.

Nigeria economy has humbled everybody.

But surprisingly, many people still select eggs by shell colour, yolk colour, bird type, or even size.

Marketing psychology in food business is very real

LIVINGICONREBOR:
E be like hunger neva give you handshake, nah why you still dey select colours of eggs.🥱🥱

delefresh:
Very good point

Many people believe local/free-range eggs are healthier because the birds move naturally and eat different things compared to commercial layers.

But here’s another question.

Do you think the difference comes more from the breed… or from what the birds are fed?

Because even local birds can produce poor eggs if feeding and management are bad.

Curious to hear other opinions on this.

Well

From my understanding

It's the breed

If you have a Isa brown now, ie those layers, and you don't feed it well it could still eggs though not regularly, which will still be brown eggs

One interesting thing many Nigerians don’t know:

Egg shell colour has almost nothing to do with nutrition.

The breed of the bird is the major factor.

But interestingly, brown eggs are often sold at higher prices in some countries because people perceive them as more natural.

Would you personally pay more for brown eggs?