Poultry Judging Practice Test

Hens with red colored ear lobes will lay what type of shell eggs?

1. White

2. Brown

3. Blue

4. Green

The correct answer is: Brown

Hens with red-colored ear lobes typically lay brown-shelled eggs. The color of the ear lobes is indicative of the breed and its genetic characteristics, which determine egg shell color. Breeds such as the Rhode Island Red and the New Hampshire Red, both of which have red ear lobes, are known for producing brown eggs. In contrast, hens with white ear lobes usually lay white-shelled eggs, while some breeds designated for blue or green eggs, such as the Araucana or the Ameraucana, do not have red ear lobes. Understanding these genetic traits helps in identifying the egg color a breed will produce, making it a fundamental concept in poultry judging and breeding practices.