What is an Olive Egger Chicken? The Complete Guide

If you’ve browsed baby chicks at the feed store or scrolled through hatchery catalogs, you may have come across a unique chicken breed called the Olive Egger. With their rich plumage and greenish eggs, Olive Eggers have become increasingly popular among backyard chicken keepers. But what exactly are Olive Eggers, and what makes them such a coveted addition to many flocks? Let’s take a deep dive into everything you need to know about this charming hybrid

A Brief History of Olive Eggers

Olive Eggers first emerged in the early 20th century through the strategic crossbreeding of heritage chicken breeds, Breeders aimed to create a chicken that would lay eggs in shades of green and blue by mating birds with genes for blue egg color (like Ameraucanas) with breeds that lay dark brown eggs (such as Marans),

Through selective breeding over successive generations, Olive Eggers were refined to reliably produce eggs in hues ranging from blue-green to olive. While Olive Eggers are not recognized as a breed by the American Poultry Association, they’ve gained immense popularity as a backyard chicken over the past couple decades.

What Do Olive Eggers Look Like?

One of the most charming aspects of Olive Eggers is their diverse and captivating appearance. Since they are a crossbreed, their plumage can vary quite a bit based on their specific parentage. However, some common physical traits include:

• Feathers in earthy hues like browns, grays, creams, and blacks
• Intricate patterns such as speckles, mottling, barring
• Puffy, rounded body shape
• Bright red single combs and wattles
• Medium-sized breed, with hens weighing 5-7 lbs and roosters 6-8 lbs

No two Olive Eggers look exactly alike! Some may resemble Marans, while others showcase Ameraucana-like pea combs and bearded muffs. This variety makes flock-watching even more enjoyable

Egg Production and Egg Color

Now let’s get to the feature that makes Olive Eggers so coveted—their eggs! Olive Eggers generally start laying around 5-6 months old and can produce about 150-200 medium to large eggs per year.

The most prized aspect is the egg color. While not all Olive Eggers lay green eggs, most will lay shades ranging from deep olive green to blue-green, light green, or even various browns. The specific hue depends on the individual bird’s genetics. These colorful eggs lend a uniqueness to any egg basket.

Temperament and Personality

Beyond their looks, Olive Eggers win over chicken-keepers with their friendly personalities. They tend to be calm, docile birds who are easily handled. Olive Eggers mix well into flocks, not typically bossy or aggressive. They’ll forage happily and follow their humans around looking for attention or treats.

While active and curious, Olive Eggers don’t tend to be flighty or nervous. Their gentle nature makes them a great backyard chicken for both families and urban flocks. They’re also cold hardy and heat tolerant thanks to their moderate size and hardy hybrid vigor.

Care and Feed Requirements

Caring for Olive Eggers is quite straightforward. Here are some key aspects of keeping them healthy and productive:

• Diet: Provide free-choice layer feed along with treats like bugs, veggies, and fruit. They need calcium for strong eggshells.

• Housing: Minimum of 2-4 square feet of coop space per bird. Outdoor access allows natural foraging.

• Health: Monitor for common issues like parasites, pathogens, and predators. Provide clean housing.

• Weather: Hardy in cold and heat, but provide shade/cooling in summer and wind protection in winter.

With proper feed, housing, health monitoring, and protection from predators, Olive Eggers can live 5-8 years while laying bountiful eggs.

Where to Get Olive Egger Chicks and Hatching Eggs

Olive Eggers aren’t bred true and can’t be hatchery-ordered by breed name. But many hatcheries offer “green/blue egg layers” that will grow into Olive Eggers. Popular chick suppliers like My Pet Chicken, Meyer Hatchery, and Cackle Hatchery often carry them.

You may also find Olive Egger hatching eggs available from small farm flocks. Eggs can be incubated to yield surprise Olive Egger chicks! Just be aware hatch rates are lower with shipped eggs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Olive Eggers good layers?

Yes! Olive Eggers are very productive layers, averaging about 150-200 eggs annually. They love to forage and be active while filling your egg basket.

How much space do Olive Eggers need?

Plan on a minimum of 2-4 square feet inside the coop per Olive Egger, and 8-10 square feet per bird if able to free-range. More space is always better.

What’s the difference between Olive Eggers and Ameraucanas?

While both lay greenish eggs, purebred Ameraucanas have a set of breed standards they must meet. Olive Eggers are a crossbreed with a wider variety of possible traits.

Can roosters have olive colored eggs?

Nope! Only hens lay eggs. Roosters of any breed do not lay eggs. Olive Egger refers specifically to the hens.

Do all Olive Eggers lay green eggs?

Most will lay some shade of green, blue, or olive, but not a guarantee. Some Olive Eggers inherit genes for brown eggs instead. Egg color varies bird to bird.

So there you have it – everything you need to know about the beautiful and productive Olive Egger chicken! From their unique origins to their delightful eggs, these birds make a wonderful addition to many flocks. If you’re looking to add some green to your egg basket, the Olive Egger is sure to deliver. Happy chicken keeping!