Ever opened your chicken coop to find an egg that looks like it belongs in a Dr. Seuss book? Green eggs aren’t just a fictional fancy—they’re very real, and certain chicken breeds lay these gorgeous gems regularly! If you’re looking to add some color variety to your egg collection, you’ve come to the right place.
I’ve been raising chickens for years now, and I’m still amazed every time I collect those beautiful green-shelled eggs. Trust me, there’s nothing quite like showing off your rainbow egg basket to friends and family!
What Chickens Lay Green Eggs?
Several chicken breeds can lay green eggs, ranging from pale seafoam to deep olive. Here are the top breeds known for their green egg-laying abilities:
- Araucana – The original green egg layer from Chile
- Ameraucana – Blue to green eggs with beards and muffs
- Easter Egger – Varied colors including green
- Olive Egger – Deep olive-colored eggs
- Cream Legbar – Pale blue-green eggs
- Swedish Isbar – The only purebred that lays green eggs
- Favaucana – Blue-green to olive eggs
- Sage Gem Bantam – Olive and sage-green eggs
- Green Queen – Various shades of green
- Steele Egger – Blue to green eggs
- Ice Cream Bar – Greenish-blue eggs
- Starlight Green Egger – Consistently green eggs
Let’s take a closer look at these fascinating breeds!
Top Green Egg-Laying Chicken Breeds
1. Araucana
The Araucana is perhaps the most famous green egg layer, originating from Chile in South America. They’re quite distinctive looking with tufts of feathers sticking out from their cheeks and no tail feathers (they have a “rumpless” appearance).
These medium-sized chickens lay about 150-180 eggs annually in beautiful blue-green shades. The gene that causes their eggs to be colored actually came from a retrovirus that became part of their DNA many years ago!
Araucanas can be challenging to find in the United States because the gene that creates their adorable ear tufts can also cause problems during incubation. When two pure Araucanas breed, about 25% of the eggs won’t hatch due to genetic issues.
2. Ameraucana
Often confused with Araucanas, Ameraucanas are a bit more common and easier to breed. These chickens have muffs and beards (fluffy feathers around their face) rather than tufts.
Ameraucanas lay about 180-200 medium-sized eggs per year in blue to blue-green shades. They come in various recognized colors, including Black, Blue, Brown, and White
If you see chicks labeled as “Ameraucanas” at your local feed store without a specific color mentioned, they’re likely Easter Eggers instead.
3. Easter Egger
Easter Eggers aren’t actually a recognized breed but rather mixed-breed chickens with the blue/green egg gene. They’re among the most popular backyard chickens because they’re friendly, hardy and lay those beautiful colored eggs!
An Easter Egger can lay anywhere from 180-200 eggs annually, and the colors can include blue, green, pink, and even brown. Each hen will consistently lay the same color throughout her life.
I’ve got a few Easter Eggers in my flock, and they’re definitely crowd-pleasers! They’re usually docile birds that get along well with children and other chickens.
4. Olive Egger
Olive Eggers are hybrid chickens created by crossing a blue egg layer (like an Ameraucana) with a dark brown egg layer (like a Marans). The result? Gorgeous olive-green eggs!
These chickens typically lay 150-200 eggs per year. The egg color can range from a lighter sage green to a deep olive, depending on the specific parentage.
If you really want that deep olive color, look for second-generation (F2) Olive Eggers, which often lay even darker eggs than their parents.
5. Cream Legbar
The Cream Legbar, also known as the Crested Cream Legbar, is a medium-sized chicken that lays beautiful light blue to blue-green eggs. They’re easy to identify with their distinctive crest of feathers on top of their heads.
Cream Legbars lay about 150-200 eggs annually. An added benefit of this breed is that they’re “auto-sexing,” meaning you can tell the males from females right after hatching based on their down color.
In my experience, Cream Legbars are quite alert and active birds. They love to forage and are very aware of their surroundings.
6. Swedish Isbar
The Swedish Isbar (sometimes called Silverudd’s Blue) is special because it’s the only purebred chicken that reliably lays green eggs. They were created in the 1980s by crossing Rhode Island Reds, New Hampshires, Cream Legbars, and possibly Australorps.
These chickens lay about 200-250 large green eggs per year. They come in three beautiful color varieties: black, blue, and splash. Their eggs sometimes have pretty purple speckles on them!
Swedish Isbars are excellent foragers with compact bodies and long legs. They’re not as common as some other breeds on this list but are worth seeking out if you want consistent green eggs.
7. Favaucana
The Favaucana is a relatively new hybrid created by crossing Faverolles with Ameraucanas. These chickens lay a variety of egg colors, including blue-green, olive, blue, and tan.
With an annual production of 150-180 medium to large eggs, Favaucanas are good layers. They tend to be excellent mothers and produce chicks that grow quickly.
These birds typically inherit their Ameraucana parent’s muffs and come in various colors. They first appeared around 2013 and have been gaining popularity ever since.
8. Sage Gem Bantam
If you’re looking for a smaller chicken that lays green eggs, the Sage Gem Bantam might be perfect for you. These little birds lay olive, sage-green, or tan eggs.
Despite their small size, they’re prolific layers, producing 200-260 small eggs annually. Their eggs may be smaller, but they make up for it in quantity and beautiful coloration.
Sage Gems often have distinctive features like feathered legs, beards, muffs, and crests. They’re usually friendly and outgoing birds that adapt well to new situations.
9. Green Queen
The Green Queen is a specific type of Easter Egger bred specifically for its green eggs. These chickens lay an impressive 280-320 eggs per year in various shades of green.
Like other Easter Eggers, Green Queens can occasionally lay other colors like blue, pink, brown, or white, but they’re selected for their tendency toward green.
If you’re looking for high egg production along with those beautiful green shells, Green Queens are definitely worth considering!
10. Steele Egger
Named after Lisa Steele of Fresh Eggs Daily, Steele Eggers are another designer breed developed specifically for colored eggs. They lay blue, green, and tan eggs.
With an annual production of around 150-200 medium-sized eggs, these birds are reliable layers. They’re usually available through Meyer Hatchery.
Steele Eggers tend to have blue or splash coloring, making them attractive birds in addition to their colorful eggs.
11. Ice Cream Bar
The Ice Cream Bar is a clever cross between the Swedish Isbar (“Ice-Bar”) and the Cream Legbar. These chickens lay beautiful greenish-blue eggs.
With a yearly production of 150-200 medium eggs, Ice Cream Bars are solid layers. They often inherit the crest from their Cream Legbar parentage and may have blue or splash coloring.
While not widely available at most hatcheries, Ice Cream Bars can sometimes be found through specialty breeders or online marketplaces.
12. Starlight Green Egger
Developed by Hoover’s Hatchery, the Starlight Green Egger is a hybrid created specifically for consistent green egg production. They lay 200-280 medium green eggs annually.
These chickens were created by crossing a Prairie Bluebell Egger with a brown egg layer. The result is a reliable green egg producer that lays throughout the year.
For those who want dependable green egg production, Starlight Green Eggers are an excellent choice.
What Gives Green Eggs Their Color?
The science behind green eggs is pretty fascinating! It all comes down to pigments:
- All eggs start out white inside the chicken.
- Chickens that lay brown eggs add a pigment called protoporphyrin as the egg passes through the oviduct.
- Chickens with the blue egg gene add a pigment called oocyanin that penetrates throughout the shell.
- When a chicken has both genes, the blue oocyanin on the inside and brown protoporphyrin on the outside combine to create green!
The intensity of the green color depends on how dark the brown pigment is. Darker brown pigment + blue = olive green, while lighter brown + blue = seafoam green.
Are Green Eggs Different From Regular Eggs?
Despite their unusual appearance, green eggs are nutritionally identical to white or brown eggs. The only difference is the shell color! The yolk and white inside are exactly the same.
I remember when I collected my first green egg—I was almost afraid to crack it open! But inside was just a normal, delicious egg. The shell color has zero effect on taste, nutrition, or cooking properties.
Why Keep Chickens That Lay Green Eggs?
There are several great reasons to raise green egg layers:
- Uniqueness: They’re great conversation starters and make beautiful egg baskets
- Natural Easter eggs: No need to dye eggs when you have chickens that lay colored ones!
- Fun for kids: Children love collecting eggs in different colors
- Market appeal: If you sell eggs, colorful ones often command premium prices
- Breed diversity: Many green egg layers are heritage or unusual breeds that help maintain genetic diversity
Final Thoughts
Adding green egg layers to your flock is a fun way to bring some color and excitement to your egg collecting routine. Whether you choose the rare Araucana, the popular Easter Egger, or any of the other breeds mentioned, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful eggs that are sure to impress.
Remember that while these chickens are special for their egg colors, they also need the same care as any other chicken—proper housing, nutrition, fresh water, and protection from predators.
Have you tried raising chickens that lay green eggs? Which breed is your favorite? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments!
Why Choose Chickens That Lay Green Eggs?
You might wonder if green eggs are any different from white or brown ones regarding taste or health. The answer is no.
Green eggs have the same nutrition and flavor as white and brown eggs. The fun part is in their unique color. Green eggs can be a real conversation starter and add a whimsical touch to your egg basket. It’s also exciting for kids who might find the array of egg colors fascinating.
Isbar a.k.a. Silverudd’s Blue (light green eggs)
Isbar chickens, also known as Silverudd’s Blue, are a unique breed from Sweden. They are medium-sized birds with feathers ranging from black to blue to splash, a mix of white and other colors. But what really stands out about Isbars is their ability to lay green eggs. The shade of green can vary, but it’s usually a light, mossy green that looks beautiful in any egg basket.
Isbars are generally calm and friendly birds. They’re not as outgoing as some other breeds, but they’re easy to handle and usually get along well with other chickens. This makes them a good choice if you want a peaceful bird to add to your flock. Isbars are also quite hardy and can adapt to different weather conditions, which is a plus if you live in an area with changing seasons.
In terms of egg-laying, Isbars are moderate layers. You can expect around 150 to 200 green eggs annually from an Isbar chicken. The eggs are medium-sized , so they are a bit smaller than most grocery store eggs.
Their unique coloration and calm demeanor make them a lovely addition to any backyard flock.
Chickens That Lay Green Eggs
FAQ
Do green chicken eggs taste different?
Brown and green taste the same. The yoke in these have a richer taste than a white egg.Mar 4, 2025
How rare is a green chicken egg?
The rarity of blue-green eggs comes down to limited genetics and breed availability. Only a few chicken breeds carry the genetic trait needed to lay them, and even then, not all hens with the gene consistently lay blue eggs. Things like diet, environment and stress can also affect egg production and shell color.
Are green chicken eggs ok to eat?
Yes, absolutely! Green-colored eggs are okay to eat. The green color of an egg does not dictate that the egg is rotten, moldy, or unsafe to eat. On the contrary, the green color is perfectly normal.
Will a chicken hatched from a green egg lay green eggs?
If you have used a homozygous blue egg gene rooster to breed your chicks, they will all be guaranteed blue and green egg layers. Remember, only the chicks who hatch from blue eggs will lay blue. The chicks who hatch from green or brown eggs will lay a shade of green eggs themselves.