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If you’re looking to add a bit of color to your egg basket, there’s no better way than by raising a flock of chickens that lay vibrant, multi-hued eggs! From blues and greens to rich browns and even pink and olive shades, certain chicken breeds are known for producing eggs in spectacular colors.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular chicken breeds with colorful eggs, all of which are perfect for any homesteader or backyard chicken keeper!
1. 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 fit in well with backyard and free-range homesteads, and each bird will produce at least 250 eggs per year. However, as Easter Eggers are hybrid chickens (selectively bred from two different breeds) they are not the best choice for anyone wanting to hatch their own chicks.
2. Ameraucana
Ameraucana chickens are prized for their stunning blue eggs, making them a popular choice among backyard and free-range chicken keepers. These birds are friendly, 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.
3. Marans
Marans are a dual-purpose breed, great for both eggs and meat. These statuesque hens lay large chocolate-brown eggs, which are sometimes speckled with dark spots. Marans are friendly but can be a bit reserved, making them suitable for both backyard and free-range homesteads.
4. 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 do best in mild, temperate climates and will need adequate shelter during harsh winters.
5. Araucana
With their distinctive lack of a tail and unique ear tufts, Araucana chickens certainly stand out! 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 will need a secure enclosure if you don’t want them free-ranging over your land.
6. Olive Egger
Olive Eggers are bred in a similar way to Easter Eggers but with the aim of producing gorgeous olive-green eggs. This is achieved by combining the blue-egg gene from breeds like Ameraucana with dark egg layers like Marans. Olive Eggers are hardy and do well in a variety of environments.
7. Penedesenca
Originating from Spain, Penedesenca chickens produce a steady supply of rich, dark brown eggs. They are hardy birds that do best in free-range environments, as they love to roam and forage. These chickens thrive in warmer climates but tend to be more independent and less friendly than other breeds.
8. Welsummer
Welsummer chickens lay deep terra-cotta-colored eggs, often with darker brown speckles or blotches. These birds are friendly and calm and do well in backyard setups or free-range homesteads. Welsummers are known for being good foragers, so they enjoy a bit of space to roam around.
9. Isbar
Isbar chickens lay gorgeous 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.
10. Barnevelder
Barnevelders produce lovely dark brown eggs with a slightly speckled effect. These chickens are easygoing and friendly, making them a great addition to any backyard flock. Barnevelders are also excellent foragers and adapt well to free-range environments, providing both eggs and entertainment for all the family
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. Bluebell
Bluebell chickens are a personal favorite of mine, as 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.
14. Croad Langshan
Croad Langshans are a purebred heritage breed that lay dark brown, sometimes purplish-tinted eggs. These calm, friendly birds are relatively rare but are increasing in popularity thanks to their hardiness. Croad Langshans are dual-purpose and can be reared for both meat and eggs
15. Starlight Green Egger
Starlight Green Eggers are a hybrid breed created by crossing a brown egg layer (often a Rhode Island Red or similar breed) with a blue egg layer, such as an Ameraucana. The result is an easygoing chicken that produces striking green eggs.
16. Blue Copper Marans
Blue Copper Marans are a specific strain of purebred Maran that produce particularly dark brown eggs. They are easy to tell apart from their close relations thanks to their striking blue-black plumage.
17. Whiting True Green
Whiting True Green chickens are hybrid birds that produce a steady supply of distinctive green eggs. This fun hybrid is friendly, energetic, and perfect for families seeking colorful egg layers.
18. Prairie Bluebell Egger
Prairie Bluebell Eggers are hybrids created by crossing a White Leghorn with an Ameraucana, resulting in prolific layers of sky-blue eggs. Prairie Bluebells are friendly, and active, and get along well with other chickens and people.
19. 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.
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Before you jump into the world of chicken-keeping, there are a few essential things to know. Here’s our comprehensive guide of 19 essential tips to help you become a confident and successful chicken owner!
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Kate Chalmers
Kate is a passionate gardener who has a keen interest in all things related to homesteading and sustainability. She resides in Portugal with her husband and menagerie of animals and has over 15 years of experience in the UK veterinary industry. In 2020, Kate and her husband took on a dilapidated Portuguese house and abandoned olive grove, turning it into an abundant food forest and home for nature.
Life on the homestead is never the same from one day to the next, and Kate has mastered many skills that she is keen to pass on to anyone with an interest in becoming more self-sufficient. Kate believes that living a sustainable lifestyle is the key to happiness and fulfillment and that everyone can make simple changes that connect us back to nature and reduce our impact on the planet.
