Best breed for blue eggs

[GreatLakeEggs08]

Hey BYC, what is the best blue egg laying breed of hens out there that can handle the frozen tundra of Wisconsin?

 

[Iluveggers]

Hey BYC, what is the best blue egg laying breed of hens out there that can handle the frozen tundra of Wisconsin?

I would go with Ameraucana or Easter Egger, although not all Easter Eggers lay blue eggs. They have small pea combs which handle cold weather and don’t get frostbite as easily!

 

[Amer]

Ameraucanas were developed in Wisconsin (and other states too, but the leader of the project Mike Gilbert hails from Wisconsin.)

 

[StinkyAcres]

Just FYI - Easter Eggers are often labelled and sold as Ameraucanas. Easter Eggers are mixes similar to true Ameraucanas but lay blue, green, or brown eggs and usually have green legs.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Most of my Easter Eggers have laid blue eggs and they lay plenty of them! In my experience they do great during our cold winters and have fewer health issues than the many other breeds I've raised. They do like to fly and wander though, so keep that in mind!

 

[BurbCoop]

We've had great success with Easter Eggers in Colorado. The pea combs and build lend towards better cold heartiness than other breeds and they are consistent layers that very rarely go broody, if at all. (we've not had one go broody) I've considered doing a straight flock of only Easter Eggers a few times, but we do like the variety of having other breeds.

We did have one that died due to laying issues. She was internal laying, something I think can be a concern with any hybrid. Definitely something to watch out for. One of her sisters is starting to show similar symptoms at 6 years old, so we're keeping an eye on that.

As others have mentioned, they are lighter birds and can jump/fly pretty well. You may have to clip wings depending on your setup.

That all said, we have added a Prairie Bluebell Egger to the mix, basically a hybrid that lays blue eggs and has Leghorn in the mix. This hen lays the most beautiful pale blue eggs, however, she is definitely flighty with that Leghorn in her. (she is a bit of a spastic freak to be honest) If cornered she can easily clear a high fence, straight up vertical flight. She is a very consistent layer first thing in the morning. She has a modified pea comb and does well in the cold. Often times, she is standing tall by her lonesome in the coop on single digit cold days, when the rest of the flock are cuddled together and fluffed up to stay warm. The cold does not seem to phase her.

Might be another breed to consider if you are looking for a high production blue egg layer.

 

[CaliforniaMountainChicks]

I would go with true Ameraucanas to get a guaranteed, really pretty blue egg. Their pea combs also help them tolerate the cold a lot better.
The gorgeous blue egg that came from my splash Ameraucana

 

[GreatLakeEggs08]

We've had great success with Easter Eggers in Colorado. The pea combs and build lend towards better cold heartiness than other breeds and they are consistent layers that very rarely go broody, if at all. (we've not had one go broody) I've considered doing a straight flock of only Easter Eggers a few times, but we do like the variety of having other breeds.

We did have one that died due to laying issues. She was internal laying, something I think can be a concern with any hybrid. Definitely something to watch out for. One of her sisters is starting to show similar symptoms at 6 years old, so we're keeping an eye on that.

As others have mentioned, they are lighter birds and can jump/fly pretty well. You may have to clip wings depending on your setup.

That all said, we have added a Prairie Bluebell Egger to the mix, basically a hybrid that lays blue eggs and has Leghorn in the mix. This hen lays the most beautiful pale blue eggs, however, she is definitely flighty with that Leghorn in her. (she is a bit of a spastic freak to be honest) If cornered she can easily clear a high fence, straight up vertical flight. She is a very consistent layer first thing in the morning. She has a modified pea comb and does well in the cold. Often times, she is standing tall by her lonesome in the coop on single digit cold days, when the rest of the flock are cuddled together and fluffed up to stay warm. The cold does not seem to phase her.

Might be another breed to consider if you are looking for a high production blue egg layer.

View attachment 3430847

Thank you very much for that information I will be looking into that. I have heard about the Prairie Bluebell I was curious about them.

 

[GreatLakeEggs08]

I would go with true Ameraucanas to get a guaranteed, really pretty blue egg. Their pea combs also help them tolerate the cold a lot better.
The gorgeous blue egg that came from my splash Ameraucana
View attachment 3430840

Those are gorgeous I am jealous! All I want are blue eggs ! I got the chickens behind my back one day with my kids husband didn’t answer me fast enough… so I can home with chickens. He was mad, he got over it they are his babies. Now I may have to get some blue egg chickens without his consent and ask for forgiveness later