Poultry Judging Practice Test

Hens with red colored ear lobes typically lay what color of shell eggs?

1. White

2. Brown

3. Blue

4. Green

The correct answer is: Brown

Hens with red colored ear lobes are typically associated with laying brown shell eggs. This characteristic is linked to the specific breeds of chickens; many brown-egg-laying breeds, like the Rhode Island Red or the Sussex, exhibit red ear lobes. The pigmentation responsible for brown eggs comes from protoporphyrin, which is deposited on the surface of the egg during its formation in the hen's reproductive tract. In contrast, hens with white ear lobes generally lay white eggs, and those with blue or green ear lobes tend to produce eggs of those respective colors. Therefore, the connection between red ear lobes and brown eggs is well-established in poultry science, making this the correct answer.