Ever opened your nesting box to find a beautiful blue egg? It’s like discovering a little piece of sky right in your backyard! When I first started raising chickens, I only cared about having friendly birds that laid lots of eggs. But soon, I realized what I was missing – a rainbow of colors in my egg basket!
If you’re looking to add some colorful variety to your egg collection you’re in the right place. I’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to chicken breeds that lay those gorgeous blue eggs that’ll make your neighbors jealous and your breakfast table Instagram-worthy.
Why Blue Eggs Are Special
Blue eggs aren’t just pretty – they’re a conversation starter! The blue color comes from a pigment called oocyanin that’s deposited throughout the entire shell during formation in the hen’s oviduct. Unlike brown eggs (which have pigment only on the outside), blue eggs are blue all the way through – even on the inside of the shell!
The best part? These eggs taste exactly the same as white or brown ones. The shell color has zero effect on nutrition or flavor – it’s purely cosmetic but oh so beautiful in your egg basket.
Top Blue Egg-Laying Chicken Breeds
Let’s dive into the most popular chicken breeds that’ll give you those coveted blue eggs
1. Ameraucana
The Ameraucana is perhaps the most well-known blue egg layer in America. As a true heritage breed recognized by the American Poultry Association, these charming birds are characterized by:
- Beautiful beards and muffs (fluffy feathers around face)
- Pea combs that make them cold-hardy
- Sweet, friendly temperaments
- Medium-sized blue eggs ranging from sky blue to turquoise
These purebred chickens are fantastic foragers and adapt well to various climates. They’re a bit pricier than some other options because of their purebred status, but the consistent blue eggs make them worth every penny!
2. Araucana
Araucanas are the original blue egg layers from Chile and are quite rare in the United States. These unique birds feature:
- Tufted ears (feathers sticking out from sides of head)
- No tail (they’re “rumpless”)
- Pea combs
- Vibrant blue eggs
- Hardy nature
What makes Araucanas special (and expensive) is their genetic makeup. They carry a lethal gene that affects hatch rates, making them challenging to breed. If you find true Araucanas, expect to pay premium prices for these blue egg specialists.
3. Easter Eggers
Easter Eggers are my personal favorites! These hybrid chickens carry the blue egg gene but aren’t a standardized breed. Each Easter Egger is unique in appearance and may lay:
- Light blue eggs
- Mint green eggs
- Olive eggs
- Sometimes even pinkish or cream-colored eggs
Their friendly personalities and hardiness make them perfect for beginners. Plus, they’re much more affordable than purebred Ameraucanas or Araucanas. The surprise factor of not knowing exactly what color egg each hen will produce makes collecting eggs exciting!
4. Cream Legbar
Cream Legbars are auto-sexing birds (you can tell males from females as chicks) that consistently lay beautiful blue eggs. They have:
- Distinctive crests on their heads
- Cream-colored feathering
- Active, curious personalities
- Good foraging abilities
These birds were developed in the UK and are prized for their reliability as blue egg layers.
5. Prairie Bluebell
Prairie Bluebells are a hybrid created by crossing White Leghorns with Araucanas. The result? A chicken that:
- Lays LOTS of bright blue eggs
- Has excellent laying abilities from the Leghorn genetics
- Produces larger eggs than some other blue egg layers
- Shows athletic, active behavior
While not super cuddly, these birds are productive and lay some of the brightest blue eggs you’ll find.
More Blue Egg Layers to Consider
Beyond the “big five” blue egg layers above, here are more options to consider:
6. Whiting True Blue
Developed by Dr. Whiting, these hybrids are known for their consistent blue egg production and friendly temperaments.
7. Isbar
These Swedish chickens lay eggs ranging from blue to green, sometimes with speckles. They have a distinctive appearance with crests of feathers.
8. Sapphire Jewel
These hybrids produce brilliant, jewel-toned blue eggs and have friendly temperaments.
9. Olive Eggers
While not technically blue egg layers, these hybrids (crosses between blue egg layers and brown egg layers) produce beautiful olive-green eggs. I’ve even seen some with speckles that make them real showstoppers!
10. Cream Legbar Bantams
The miniature version of Cream Legbars – perfect for small spaces but still laying those beautiful blue eggs.
11. Fibro Easter Eggers
These unique hybrids have dark features with slate-colored skin, legs and feathers in black, white, blue and splash patterns. They lay 4-5 eggs weekly in colors ranging from light blue to dark olive.
12. Lavender Dream Easter Eggers
These Easter Eggers produce eggs in dreamy pastel hues from soft lavender to gentle blue and sometimes pink.
13. Frizzle Easter Eggers
Easter Eggers with unique “frizzled” feathering that curl outward, creating a fluffy appearance. They still lay those colorful eggs!
14. Silkie Easter Eggers
Easter Eggers with the soft, fluffy feathering of Silkies. They’re smaller and incredibly soft to touch.
15. White Wheaten Easter Eggers
These birds have white or wheaten plumage with prominent beards and muffs, laying gorgeous blue eggs similar to pure Ameraucanas.
16. Opal Legbar
A variation of the Cream Legbar with different feather coloration but the same blue egg-laying abilities.
17. Frost White Legbar
These striking birds have snow-white plumage and lay beautiful blue eggs. Being auto-sexing makes them easy to manage.
18. Favaucana
A cross between Faverolles and Ameraucanas, these birds combine the friendly Faverolle personality with blue egg-laying abilities.
19. Super Blue/Bountiful Blue
Known for high egg production and vibrant blue eggs with friendly personalities.
20. Shetland
A rare, hardy breed from Scotland that lays distinctive blue eggs and handles cold weather well.
21. Ice Cream Bar
A hybrid of Cream Legbars and Swedish Isbars that reliably produces blue eggs.
22. Schijndelaar
A unique breed known for unusual egg color variations and thriving in free-range conditions.
23. Coastal Blues
A hybrid breed developed for laying beautiful blue and teal eggs.
24. Steel Eggers
These hybrids lay striking steel-blue eggs and have friendly, adaptable temperaments.
25. Azure Blue
True to their name, these modern hybrids lay stunning azure blue eggs.
26. Lakeside Egger
Known for prolific blue egg production and adaptability to various climates.
27. Arkansas Blue
An experimental breed developed at the University of Arkansas for consistent deep blue egg production.
Purebred vs. Hybrid Blue Egg Layers: What’s the Difference?
When shopping for blue egg layers, you’ll encounter both purebred and hybrid options:
Purebred Blue Egg Layers:
- Bred according to strict standards set by the American Poultry Association
- Consistently lay blue eggs (though shades may vary)
- Higher price point
- Examples: Ameraucana, Araucana
Hybrid Blue Egg Layers:
- Don’t breed true (offspring may not resemble parents)
- May lay eggs in unexpected colors (blue, green, olive, etc.)
- More affordable
- Examples: Easter Eggers, Prairie Bluebells
I’ve found that hybrids like Easter Eggers give you the most bang for your buck if you’re just looking to add color to your egg basket. But if you want consistent blue eggs and potentially show-quality birds, purebreds are the way to go.
Supporting Your Blue Egg Layers
To keep your blue egg layers healthy and productive:
- Feed high-quality layer feed with at least 16% protein
- Provide calcium supplements (like crushed oyster shells) to ensure strong eggshells
- Give access to grit for proper digestion
- Ensure fresh water is always available
- Allow foraging time when possible
Remember that high-quality nutrition directly impacts egg production, shell strength, and the vibrancy of those beautiful blue shells!
Common Questions About Blue Egg Layers
Do all Araucanas lay blue eggs?
Yes, if they’re purebred Araucanas or Ameraucanas, they will lay blue eggs and no other color. If yours lays a different color, you might not have a purebred bird.
Can hybrid blue egg layers produce white eggs?
Hybrids are more likely to lay cream or light brown rather than pure white. Most Easter Eggers I’ve had lay light blue eggs, with only a few producing cream or green shades.
Do blue eggs taste different?
Nope! The color is just in the shell. The egg inside tastes exactly the same as any other chicken egg.
How long until blue egg layers start producing?
Most chickens start laying around 5-6 months of age, but some blue egg layers (especially purebreds) can take up to 9 months to start laying.
My Experience with Blue Egg Layers
I’ve been raising chickens for years now, and adding blue egg layers to my flock was one of the best decisions I’ve made. There’s something magical about collecting eggs in different colors – it makes the daily chore feel special.
My son loves gathering our colorful eggs each evening, and his excitement when he finds a particularly vibrant blue egg never gets old. Whether it’s a speckled egg from our Marans hens or a beautiful blue from our Easter Eggers, these colorful surprises are why I fell in love with homesteading.
If you’re on the fence about adding blue egg layers to your flock, I say go for it! Not only will they diversify your egg basket, but they’ll also add unique personalities to your backyard flock.
Chickens that lay blue eggs.
- Ameraucana – The Ameraucana is a popular breed known for its distinctive blue eggs. Originating in the United States, these chickens are not only great layers but also have friendly and curious personalities. They come in a variety of colors, including lavender, black, blue, and splash.
- Cream Legbar – Among the fascinating breeds of chickens that lay blue eggs, the Cream Legbar stands out not only for its stunning egg color but also for its unique history and charming characteristics. Developed in the early 20th century, this British breed has become a favorite among backyard chicken keepers and poultry enthusiasts alike
- Bountiful Blue Egg Layer – The Bountiful Blue Egg Layer is a custom cross, bred exclusively for My Pet Chicken. Weve crossed our favorite egg-laying breed with our most beautiful blue egg layers. The result is the Bountiful Blue Egg Layer, prolific layers of large, blue-tinted eggs!
Item added to your cart
Chickens have long been cherished for their ability to provide fresh eggs, but did you know that not all eggs are the same color? While most people are familiar with white and brown eggs, there are breeds of chickens that lay a stunning array of colorful eggs. From blue to green, pink, olive, chocolate, and even speckled, these unique eggs add a splash of color to any egg carton. Let’s dive into the world of colorful egg layers and explore the breeds responsible for these beautiful hues.