Olive Eggers

 Olive Egger History

Olive Egger chickens are not a breed, but a hybrid of two different breeds.

The origin of Olive Egger chickens results from crossbreeding between a blue egg-laying breed, such as an Araucana or Ameraucana, and a dark brown egg-laying breed, such as a Maran or Welsummer. 

This crossbreeding results in offspring that lay beautiful olive-colored eggs, hence the name Olive Eggers.

The craze for multi-colored eggs began in 1842 when a few Chinese chicken breeds were transported to England. 

Once in the country, these chickens were crossbred with the local chicken breeds, to the great bemusement of the local farmers. 

This phenomenon made farmers experiment with crossing different varieties with specific traits.

The hybridization of chicken breeds has been a common practice for centuries, to create a bird that has the best traits of both parent breeds. 

Olive Egger chickens are a great example of this. They are a relatively new hybrid breed that was created to satisfy the demand for unique and colorful eggs.

The breeding of Olive Egger chickens is not an exact science, and the offspring of different crosses can vary in appearance and egg-laying abilities. 

However, these chickens are generally hardy and easy to care for, making them a popular choice among backyard chicken keepers.

 Appearance

Olive Egger chickens are known for their unique coloration. 

They can come in various colors, ranging from black, brown, and gray to white, cream, and buff. 

Their feathers can also have different patterns, such as stripes, speckles, and spots. 

Additionally, Olive Eggers can have certain physical characteristics that are inherited from their parent breeds, such as tufted ears,  feathered legs, and beards.

When it comes to egg color, Olive Eggers lay eggs that are usually shades of green or olive. 

However, the exact color can vary depending on the genetics of the bird. Some Olive Eggers may lay eggs that are more brown or blue, depending on the breeds they are crossed with.