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 were created in the early 1900s by carefully mating heritage chicken breeds. Breeders wanted to make a chicken that would lay eggs in shades of green and blue by mating birds with genes for blue eggs (like Ameraucanas) with breeds that lay dark brown eggs (like Marans).

Over many generations of selective breeding, Olive Eggers were bred to consistently lay eggs in shades from blue-green to olive. They are very popular as a backyard chicken over the last few decades, even though the American Poultry Association doesn’t recognize Olive Eggers as a breed.

What Do Olive Eggers Look Like?

One of the most appealing things about Olive Eggers is how different and interesting they look. Their plumage can be very different depending on which parent species they come from because they are a crossbreed. 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

There are no two Olive Eggers that look exactly the same. Some may look like Marans, while others have pea combs and beards that look like Ameraucanas. 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!