Chickens Have Earlobes?

The spouse and I got into an argument today, and I really can't remember what sparked it. But it was about eggs. That's right; eggs. He complained that I don't let him buy, nor do I buy, brown eggs, to which I responded that they taste different. I don't like brown eggs. He then opined that there is no difference nutritionally, or in taste, between white and brown eggs, and I disagreed. It kind of went downhill from there, leading me to Google the question, "Is there a difference between brown and white eggs?" 

Interestingly, there is a woman named Amy Batal, PhD, who is an assistant professor of poultry nutrition at the University of Georgia. What a job she has! Anyway, Dr. Batal says that the color of the shell has nothing to do with quality or nutritional value. It turns out that egg color is determined by the breed of the hen. Breeds with white earlobes lay white eggs, while breeds with red earlobes lay brown eggs. Consumer preference drives the demand for egg color: Americans prefer their eggs white, which is why you'll see row after row of white eggs at the supermarket. Europeans, however, favor brown eggs.

Wait, what was that? Chickens have earlobes? Unfortunately, I don't have a chicken handy, or I would certainly have a look for myself. I guess I will have to trust the doctor on that one, but it makes me wonder why most "farm fresh eggs" are brown, meaning the hen has red earlobes. Are white-earlobed chickens more expensive? Is there some underlying reason farmers choose red-earlobed chickens? 

After I announced my findings, the spouse triumphantly exclaimed, "SEE! I told you there was no difference between white and brown eggs!" I calmly responded, "OK, then why do you prefer brown?" He changed the subject and left the room...

So, there you have it. The expert and my husband say there is no difference between brown eggs and white. I say there is.

Of course, I am right...

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