Ukrainians Are Snapping Up Colorful Eggs Priced at 250 Hryvnias

Ameraucana Eggs: A Novelty on Ukrainian Farms

According to Главком: Videos showcasing eggs in unusual shades, laid by Ameraucana chickens, are circulating on social media. In the Cherkasy region, resident Taisiia Shmuratova keeps around ten of these birds. During warmer months, her hens produce eight to nine multicolored eggs daily. Taisiia explains she purchased eggs of this breed online and hatched the chicks using an incubator.

Genetics and Productivity of the Ameraucana

Geneticist and breeder Oleh Katerynych notes that eggshell color is determined by genetics. He states:

“We take a breed, take a gene, and essentially transfer it into a new hybrid. We can produce blue eggs, green eggs, light green, and olive ones. It’s like the color of our hair or our eyes.” - Oleh Katerynych

Ameraucana chickens have low productivity-they lay only 120 to 140 eggs per year, while a typical industrial hen can yield around 300 eggs.

This low output makes Ameraucana eggs scarce and expensive. A dozen of these colorful eggs can cost up to 250 hryvnias in online stores, and at markets, they occasionally sell for twice the price of standard eggs. Vendor Anna Karachun, who tried these exotic eggs last year, shared her thoughts:

“I liked them, I bought them-they’re tasty eggs.” - Anna Karachun

Proper care for Ameraucana chickens involves providing standard grain, fresh hay, and free-range access. Under these conditions, the hens can produce a variety of eggs, including:

• soft pink
• olive
• Tiffany shade-a deep, vivid color between light turquoise and mint blue

Beyond Ameraucana eggs, other agricultural projects are emerging in Ukraine. In the village of Slyvyne near Mykolaiv, Mykhailo Stepanov has set up an aquafarm where he raises over five thousand juvenile Australian crayfish and about 40 sturgeons. In Kyiv, engineer Serhii Salata is developing a vertical city farm that grows basil without soil or sunlight. These examples show Ukrainian farmers actively experimenting with and adopting new agricultural technologies.

The growth of projects like raising Ameraucana chickens highlights a rising interest in exotic food products in Ukraine. This trend could represent a significant step toward diversifying agriculture and meeting demand for unique, high-quality items. At the same time, the success of such initiatives depends on support for technology and innovation, enabling farmers to adapt to modern market conditions.