Some chickens are known for producing eggs with beautiful blue shells, a unique trait that sets them apart from the usual brown or white varieties. The blue hue comes from a natural pigment called oocyanin, which is deposited throughout the entire shell during the egg’s formation. This pigment is genetic and passes from one generation to the next, ensuring that the blue coloration remains consistent among these birds.
These chickens often attract attention not only for their unusual egg color but also for their charming personalities and diverse appearances. They can be found in a variety of feather shades, from soft creams to deep blacks, with differing patterns and comb styles. Farmers and backyard keepers often prize them for both their looks and their reliable egg production.
The eggs they produce are not just visually appealing but also nutritionally similar to other types of eggs. The color does not affect taste or nutritional value, though many people claim the novelty of a blue egg makes breakfast feel more special. They are often used in decorative displays or given as gifts because of their rare and striking appearance.
These birds tend to be hardy and adaptable, making them suitable for different climates and management systems. Many of them handle free-ranging quite well, enjoying the opportunity to forage and stay active outdoors. This trait makes them a favorite among those who prefer sustainable or natural poultry-keeping practices.
In small farms or homesteads, these chickens bring variety to the egg basket. Their presence ensures a mix of colors, which can include not only blue but sometimes green or olive hues when crossed with other egg-laying types. This blend of practicality and aesthetic appeal makes them a valuable addition to any flock.
Chicken Breeds That Lay Blue Eggs
Ameraucana
A standardized breed developed in the United States, the Ameraucana is famous for its reliable blue egg-laying. They have a distinctive appearance with muffs, a beard, and a pea comb. They are a hardy, dual-purpose bird with a friendly temperament.
Egg Color: Various shades of blue.
Where they are found: Worldwide, but most common in the United States.
Araucana
The Araucana is the original “South American” breed from which the blue-egg trait was derived. They are rumpless (lack a tail bone) and often have ear tufts. They are a rare and ancient breed.
Egg Color: Blue to bluish-green.
Where they are found: Originated in Chile; now found in specialized flocks worldwide.
Easter Egger
This is not a standardized breed but a mixed-breed chicken that carries the blue-egg gene. They are incredibly popular in backyard flocks because of their friendly nature and the surprise of what color egg they might lay (blue, green, olive, or sometimes pink).
Egg Color: Blue, green, or olive.
Where they are found: Extremely common in backyard flocks across North America and Europe.
Cream Legbar
An auto-sexing British breed, meaning the chicks’ sex can be determined by their color at hatch. They are crested, active foragers, and are known for laying a consistent, beautiful blue egg.
Egg Color: Pale blue to blue.
Where they are found: Popular in the UK, Europe, and North America among hobbyists.
Arkansas Blue
A relatively new American breed developed from a mix that includes Ameraucanas and other breeds. They are selected specifically for their ability to lay a large, blue egg and for a calm, docile temperament.
Egg Color: A consistent sky blue.
Where they are found: Primarily in the United States.
Whiting True Blue
Developed by Dr. Tom Whiting in the United States, this breed was created by selectively breeding Ameraucanas to produce a chicken that lays a strikingly blue egg in a more uniform and productive bird.
Egg Color: A consistent, vibrant blue.
Where they are found: Primarily in the United States and Canada.
Dongxiang Chicken
A rare, indigenous breed from the Dongxiang area in Jiangxi Province, China. They are a small, black-boned bird and are one of the original genetic sources for the blue eggshell trait.
Egg Color: Blue to blue-green.
Where they are found: Indigenous to China; very rare outside its native region.
Lushi Chicken
Another indigenous Chinese breed known for laying blue eggs. They are a light-bodied bird and are considered a valuable genetic resource.
Egg Color: Light blue or green.
Where they are found: The Lushi county area in Henan Province, China.
Shetland Hen
A rare and landrace fowl from the Shetland Islands of Scotland. While not all Shetland Hens lay blue eggs, a blue-egg layer is a recognized and prized variant within the population, a trait likely introduced centuries ago by visiting trading ships.
Egg Color: Blue (in the blue-egg laying variant).
Where they are found: The Shetland Islands, Scotland.
Icelandic Chicken (Íslenska Hænan)
A landrace bird brought to Iceland by Norse settlers. They are incredibly hardy and come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Some strains within this population lay beautiful blue or green eggs.
Egg Color: Blue, green, white, tan, and various shades.
Where they are found: Iceland and increasingly in North America and Europe as a heritage breed.
Burmese Black / Burmese Bantam
This rare and ornamental bantam breed is known for its entirely black appearance (feathers, skin, and meat). While not all lines are consistent, many Burmese Black hens lay eggs with a distinct pale blue or creamy blue shell.
Egg Color: Pale blue or cream.
Where they are found: Originated in Myanmar (Burma); now found in specialized ornamental poultry collections, primarily in the UK and Europe.
Swedish Isbar (Skånsk Blommehöna)
A Swedish breed created in the mid-20th century by crossing a Cream Legbar with other local fowl. The name “Isbar” is a trademark, while “Skånsk Blommehöna” is the official breed name. They are auto-sexing and are prolific layers of green or olive eggs, which are created by a blue base layer with a brown overlay.
Egg Color: Olive green or mossy green (a blue base egg).
Where they are found: Originated in Sweden; still rare but becoming more popular in Europe and North America among green-egg enthusiasts.
Qingyuan Partridge Chicken
An indigenous breed from Guangdong Province, China, known for its excellent meat quality. While not their primary characteristic, some lines of Qingyuan chickens are known to lay eggs with light blue or green shells, showcasing the diverse genetics of Chinese poultry.
Egg Color: Light blue or green.
Where they are found: Qingyuan City in Guangdong Province, China.
Xiaoshan Chicken
Another ancient Chinese breed from the Xiaoshan district near Hangzhou. They are a dual-purpose bird valued for both meat and eggs. Some hens within this breed lay eggs with distinctive blue shells.
Egg Color: Blue.
Where they are found: Xiaoshan district, Zhejiang Province, China.
Mapuche Fowl (Gallina Mapuche)
This is not a single standardized breed but rather the traditional landrace fowl kept by the Mapuche people of Chile and Argentina. They are the foundational genetic stock from which the Araucana was derived, and many of these birds carry the gene for blue eggs.
Egg Color: Blue to green.
Where they are found: Southern Chile and Argentina, particularly in rural Mapuche communities.
Ameraucana Bantam
The bantam (miniature) version of the standard Ameraucana. They possess all the same characteristics, including muffs, a beard, and a pea comb, but in a small package. They are equally reliable layers of beautiful blue eggs.
Egg Color: Various shades of blue.
Where they are found: Worldwide, popular in backyard flocks where space is limited.