Chickens that lay green eggs are becoming increasingly popular in backyard flocks, thanks to their colorful eggs and friendly temperaments. If you’re wondering what chickens lay green eggs, there are several hybrid breeds that consistently produce shades ranging from pale sage to deep olive. In this guide, we’ll look at four of the most common green egg-laying chickens, including their temperament, egg production, and color variations, so you can choose the right breed for your flock.

Key Takeaways

• Several chicken breeds and hybrids lay green eggs, including Olive Eggers, Green Queens, Easter Eggers, and Favaucanas.
• Most green egg-laying chickens are hybrids created from blue egg and brown egg genetics.
• Easter Eggers are among the most common backyard chickens that lay green eggs.
• Olive Eggers and Favaucanas are known for calm temperaments and colorful egg baskets.
• Green egg color does not affect flavor or nutrition compared to brown or white eggs.

#1 Olive Eggers: Popular Green Egg Layers

Delightful and friendly, Olive Eggers are a popular breed choice for backyard flock owners who want chickens that lay green eggs. Olive Eggers are a cross between an Araucana or Ameraucana and a Marans. The cross between a blue egg-laying breed and a chocolate egg layer produces chicks that lay olive-green eggs. Now you know how this breed got its name!

Olive Egger hens are high producers, averaging 4 – 6 large/extra large eggs weekly (150 – 240 eggs annually). Eggs range in color from olive green or teal to khaki.

This breed is known for their friendly disposition. Olive Eggers are docile, easily handled, and enjoy interacting with people. Their calm personality makes them an ideal choice for novices and children. Hens rarely go broody, but they make exceptional mothers when they do.

While they are not exceptionally long-lived, Olive Eggers live an average of five to eight years (the average lifespan of most backyard breeds).

Color varieties: Olive Eggers come in shades of browns, grays, and blacks. Some individuals sport speckled or mottled feathers, while others do not.

#2 Green Queen Chickens for Colorful Egg Baskets

One of the rarest breeds of chickens that lay green eggs, the Green Queen is an ideal choice for those looking for a prolific green egg layer. Because they are hybrids, these chickens don’t breed true, making them a real surprise. Most Green Queen chickens sport a beard and muff, while others may have feathering on their legs and feet. Individuals of this breed may even have five toes.

Green Queen hens are good layers, averaging 4- 6 large eggs weekly (about 150 – 240 eggs annually). Most hens lay eggs in shades of green, but some will lay tinted or brown eggs since the breed doesn’t breed true.

Green Queen hens are cuddlier than other breeds and are known for their people-loving personalities. They get along well with humans and other chickens. However, their calm and docile personalities put them at a disadvantage when housed with more aggressive breeds.

A calm and hardy breed, the Green Queen is a good starter chicken for novice owners looking to start their backyard flock.

Average Lifespan: five to eight years.

Color Varieties: Comes in a wide array of colors, none of which breed true.

#3 Easter Eggers: The Most Common Green Egg Layers

Did you know? Easter Eggers are the most common breed of chickens that lay green eggs. That’s right! Easter Eggers are among the most commonly found chickens in backyard flocks, rivaling even the Barred Plymouth Rock. So, what makes this breed popular?

Another colored egg layer hybrid, Easter Eggers do not breed true. This trait makes it impossible to breed for a feather or egg color, earning this breed its name. This breed is especially popular with children, who love the color varieties these chickens offer.

Easter Egger hens are excellent producers, averaging 4 – 6 large/extra large blue, green, or brown eggs weekly (250 – 280 eggs annually).  Easter Eggers rarely go broody as these hens were bred to lay an abundance of colored eggs, not hatch and raise chicks.

Friendly, calm, and sweet-natured, Easter Eggers thrive on human attention and snuggling on their favorite owner’s lap. However, their docile nature puts them at a disadvantage when housed with more aggressive breeds.

Average Lifespan: Five to eight years.

Color Varieties: Easter Eggers come in many colors, none of which breed true.

#4 Favaucana: A Cold-Hardy Green Egg Layer

The Goldendoodle of the chicken world, the Favaucana, is a cross between the Ameraucana and Salmon Faverolles. This breed possesses the calm and sweet personality of the Faverolles and the extreme cold-hardiness of the Ameraucana. Their cold-hardiness makes them ideal for those in colder climates desiring chickens that lay green eggs.

Favaucana hens are excellent layers, producing an average of 5 large sage green eggs weekly (about 250 – 300 eggs annually).

Calm, sweet, and docile, Favaucana chickens are an excellent breed for the novice. This breed does well in a mixed flock and shouldn’t be easily bullied. Favaucana hens go broody and make excellent mothers.

Average Lifespan: Five to eight years.

Color Varieties: Wheaten and Blue. (Even though the Favaucana has recognized colors, the American Poultry Association does not recognize this breed)

Note: Favaucanas and Green Queen chickens are rare breeds that are only available at select hatcheries.

FAQs About Chickens That Lay Green Eggs

What chickens lay green eggs?

Olive Eggers, Green Queens, Easter Eggers, and Favaucanas are popular chickens that lay green eggs. Most are hybrid breeds developed from blue and brown egg-laying chickens.

Why do some chickens lay green eggs?

Green eggs are created when a blue egg gene combines with brown egg pigment. The result can range from sage green to deep olive shades.

Do green eggs taste different?

No. Green eggs taste the same as brown or white eggs. Diet and freshness affect flavor more than shell color.

Are green egg-laying chickens good for beginners?

Yes. Many green egg layers, especially Olive Eggers and Easter Eggers, are friendly, hardy, and easy for novice backyard flock keepers to raise.

Which chicken lays the darkest green eggs?

Olive Eggers are known for laying some of the darkest olive-green eggs because they are bred from blue egg and dark brown egg genetics.

Choosing the Best Chickens That Lay Green Eggs

If you’ve ever wondered what chickens lay green eggs, these four breeds and hybrids are among the best choices for backyard flocks. From the popular Easter Egger to the rare Green Queen and cold-hardy Favaucana, each breed brings something unique to the coop besides colorful eggs.

Many chickens that lay green eggs are also known for their friendly temperaments, reliable egg production, and adaptability, making them excellent choices for both novice and experienced chicken keepers. Whether you want a colorful egg basket, a family-friendly flock, or simply something different from traditional brown egg layers, green egg-laying chickens add personality and beauty to any backyard setup.

As interest in colorful eggs continues to grow, breeds like Olive Eggers, Easter Eggers, Green Queens, and Favaucanas are becoming increasingly popular with backyard poultry enthusiasts looking to add variety to their flocks.

This article about what chickens lay green eggs was written for Chickens magazine. Click here to subscribe.