If you want to mix up your daily egg collection, adding chickens that lay blue eggs is a fun way to liven up your coop. Most people are used to finding white or brown eggs in the carton, but select breeds produce shades of blue. This happens because of a natural pigment called oocyanin, which permeates the eggshell as it forms. Unlike brown eggs, where the color is just a surface coating, blue shells are colorful all the way through the inside.
The unique color does not change what is on the inside. Blue eggs taste exactly like brown or white eggs, and they carry the same nutritional value. The shell color is purely a cosmetic bonus that makes opening your egg carton a lot more interesting.
For backyard keepers and homesteaders looking to build a diverse flock, blue layers are an excellent choice. Beyond the colorful shells, many of these birds are cold-hardy, calm, and reliable producers.
Here are 11 chicken breeds that lay beautiful blue eggs to consider for your flock.
Easter Egger
Easter Egger chickens are famous for their ability to lay a colorful assortment of eggs ranging from blue to green and even pink! These friendly hens are well-suited for backyard and free-range homesteads, with each bird expected to produce at least 250 eggs annually.
However, Easter eggs are hybrid chickens (selectively bred from two different breeds), so they are not the best choice for anyone wanting to hatch their own chicks.
Ameraucana
Ameraucana chickens produce stunning blue eggs, making them a popular choice among backyard and free-range chicken keepers.
These birds are friendly and curious, and tend to get along well with people, making them perfect for families. They also tolerate cold weather well and will produce a steady supply of eggs all year round.
Cream Legbar
Cream Legbar chickens are a favorite among those who want a reliable source of blue eggs. These easygoing birds are great for backyard setups and are known for their calm demeanor, making them easy to handle.
Cream Legbars thrive best in mild, temperate climates and require adequate shelter during harsh winters.
Araucana
Araucana chickens certainly stand out with their distinctive lack of a tail and unique ear tufts! These exotic-looking birds lay beautiful blue eggs that add a spectacular splash of color to your egg basket.
Araucana chickens can be quite flighty, so you will need a secure enclosure if you don’t want them free-ranging over your land.
Isbar
Isbar chickens lay gorgeous blue to green-tinted eggs and are a wonderful addition to any colorful egg basket. Originally from Sweden, these chickens do well in colder climates and are suited for backyard or barn setups. They’re friendly and love to forage, making them great free-rangers too.
Whiting True Blue
As the name suggests, Whiting True Blue chickens lay delightful sky-blue eggs. They are friendly, active birds that thrive in backyard setups and free-range environments alike. These chickens are prolific layers and easy to care for, making them a popular choice for homesteaders.
Ice Cream Bar
I love the name of this delightful hybrid chicken! Created by crossing Cream Legbars with Isbars, Ice Cream Bar chickens lay pastel-colored eggs in shades ranging from light blue to green. These chickens are curious and friendly, making them great for backyard flocks.
Bluebell
Bluebell chickens are a personal favorite of mine. They have a lovely, calm, and gentle nature. They lay large, light brown eggs and are happy to hang out in a small enclosure with their friends. Bluebells are also excellent layers, providing a steady supply of eggs throughout the year.
Prairie Bluebell Egger
Prairie Bluebell Eggers are hybrids created by crossing a White Leghorn with an Ameraucana, producing prolific layers of sky-blue eggs. Prairie Bluebells are friendly and active and get along well with other chickens and people.
Green Queen
Green Queens are an extension of the Easter Egger breeding project, typically created by crossing Ameraucanas or Easter Eggers with other green or blue egg layers. These friendly birds are easy to care for and thrive in both backyard and free-range environments.
Olive Egger
Olive Eggers are a hybrid chicken, created by crossing a hen that lays blue eggs – commonly an Ameraucana – with a breed that lays brown eggs. The result is a chicken that produces beautiful olive-green eggs, hence the name. Olive Eggers are friendly and low-maintenance, making them ideal for beginners.
