A Guide to Chickens That Lay Colorful Eggs: Blue, Green, Pink, and Beyond

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.

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. We've 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! 

Chickens that lay green or olive eggs

• Olive Egger - As the name suggests, Olive Eggers lay olive-colored eggs. They are a cross between a breed that lays blue eggs (such as an Ameraucana) and one that lays dark brown eggs (such as a Marans). The result is a unique green egg that varies in shade from light to dark olive.
• Favaucana - Exclusively ours!  We adore this designer breed for its many wonderful qualities: Extreme docility; sage-green, medium to large eggs; beautiful little muffs, beards, and lightly feathered feet, (some with five toes!). They have pea combs and profuse feathering for cold-hardiness. Their slender body size helps with heat-tolerance. Then, of course, their overall appearance, something like a blue or black hawk, simply turns heads.
• Green Queen Easter Egger - This beautiful designer breed is the queen of the coop. Green Queens are super layers of large, green eggs*. This is a multi-generational, multi-breed "project" we have been working on for some time. Our goal is to produce a beautiful, easygoing, extremely hardy bird, and a prolific egg layer.

Chickens that lay blue or green eggs

• Easter Eggers - Our top-selling chicken breed, Easter Eggers may lay either blue or green eggs. In fact, Easter Eggers can lay other colors, too, including brown, pinkish, cream and so on. And it's quite likely that even when you have two or more Easter Eggers laying blue eggs, they're probably laying subtly or even dramatically different shades! Each hen will give ONE egg color. The egg color will not change from one egg being laid to another. For example, if your hen has just laid a green egg, it will lay a green egg its entire life.

Chickens that lay chocolate eggs

Some chicken breeds lay dark brown chocolate colored eggs, including:

• Marans - The Marans breed, originating from France, is renowned for its rich, dark brown eggs, often referred to as chocolate eggs. These eggs can range from a deep reddish-brown to a nearly black shade. Marans are also known for their striking appearance and gentle temperament.
• Welsummers - Welsummers are a Dutch breed known for their beautiful speckled eggs. These medium-dark brown eggs are often adorned with darker speckles, creating a visually appealing pattern. Welsummers are also excellent foragers and thrive in free-range environments.
• Penedesenca - This prized Spanish breed lays a deep, dark, reddish brown egg. These birds are very active, and like most Mediterranean breeds, won't be suited to the coldest weather due to their large combs and smaller body size. However, they do wonderfully in heat.

Chickens that lay speckled eggs

Many chicken breeds can occasionally lay speckled eggs.

• Welsummers - The Welsummer (sometimes spelled Welsumer) is named after the village of Welsum, Holland, and was first imported into this country in 1928. Hens lay large, medium to deep brown eggs that are often speckled, making them very lovely, indeed!
• Barnevelder - These chickens lay dark brown eggs with a speckled appearance. Barnevelders are friendly and hardy, making them a popular choice among backyard chicken enthusiasts.
• Blue Splash Marans -  These beautiful, rare birds lay a medium-brown egg with extra-dark speckles. Marans make wonderful pets, too - they are hardy, calm and quiet, and bear confinement well. 

Chickens that may lay pink eggs

• Buff Orpington -  The Buff Orpington is a favorite among backyard chicken keepers due to its calm nature and reliable egg production. Some Buff Orpingtons lay cream eggs with a pink hue, making them a delightful addition to any flock.
• Light Sussex - Light Sussex chickens are traditional British breeds known for their excellent egg-laying abilities. While their eggs are generally a light brown color, some strains produce a pinkish tint, adding a touch of elegance to the egg basket. 

Raising chickens that lay colorful eggs can be a rewarding and visually delightful experience. Whether you’re adding blue, green, pink, olive, chocolate, or speckled eggs to your collection, these unique hues are sure to impress. Each breed has its own unique charm and personality, making the journey of raising colorful egg layers an enjoyable adventure. So, why settle for ordinary when you can have a rainbow of eggs right in your backyard?