Which Hens Lay Blue Eggs? The Complete Guide

Blue eggs have become one of the most sought after features for modern chicken keepers. They look beautiful in the kitchen, make a lovely talking point when friends or family visit, and offer something special that standard brown or white eggs simply cannot match. Blue egg layers are also known for friendly temperaments, interesting colours and unique personalities, which means they often become favourites among garden keepers. If you are choosing your first coloured egg layer or adding to an existing flock, this guide explains why some chickens lay blue eggs, which breeds at Pipinchick produce them, and how to decide which one suits your home and lifestyle.

Why Do Some Chickens Lay Blue Eggs?

Blue eggs come from a naturally occurring pigment called oocyanin, a by-product of bile that tints the shell as it forms. Unlike brown egg pigment, which sits on the surface, the blue pigment permeates the entire shell. This means the inside of a blue egg is blue as well, whereas brown eggs are white inside once you look past the surface staining. Although blue eggs may look unusual, they are nutritionally identical to eggs of any other colour. The pigment does not affect flavour, texture or cooking quality. The main difference is the visual appeal and the way coloured eggs make the egg basket look just that little bit more special.

How Egg Colour Varies Between Blue-Egg Breeds

Not all blue eggs look the same. Some are a soft powder blue, others have a clearer sky blue finish, and some lean towards a greenish tint depending on the genetics of the parent birds. In hybrid birds, combining a blue laying gene with a brown laying gene can produce olive tones, sage greens or blue-green blends. Factors such as light, diet, stress and age can affect the depth of colour, although the underlying shade comes from genetics. Pure blue layers such as Ameraucanas and Rumpless Araucanas tend to produce the clearest and most consistent blue shades, while crossbred options like the Hybrid Olive Egger offer a naturally wider spectrum.

Blue Egg Laying Breeds Available At Pipinchick

Pipinchick is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of coloured egg layers, offering several pure and hybrid breeds that reliably produce blue or blue tinted eggs. Below is a closer look at each of the blue egg layers you can buy from the Pipinchick flock.

Ameraucana

Ameraucanas are one of the most reliable pure blue-egg producers available. They are known for producing a clear, even shade of blue that stays consistent throughout the laying season. Ameraucanas are friendly, curious and good for gardens of most sizes. They prefer a calm environment and get along well with other gentle breeds. Their egg production varies but often sits at a steady level through the spring and summer months. They handle UK weather well and are a good choice for both beginners and experienced keepers who want a dependable coloured egg producer.

Rumpless Araucana

The Rumpless Araucana is one of the original blue egg laying breeds. They have distinctive ear tufts and no tail, which gives them a striking appearance. Araucanas lay some of the bluest eggs of any breed and are often chosen by keepers who want eggs with a strong sky-blue tone. They are active birds that enjoy space to explore but can still adapt well to medium sized gardens when they have enrichment and places to forage. Their friendly nature and unusual appearance make them a popular choice for those wanting something a little different from their flock.

Legbar

The Legbar is a well established blue egg layer in the UK. Their eggs are usually a soft pastel blue. Legbars are alert, confident and excellent foragers, making them ideal for free range environments or gardens that allow the flock to explore safely. They are hardy birds that lay well through most of the year and tend to settle into groups easily. For anyone wanting a reliable blue egg layer with a calm and steady personality, Legbars are an excellent choice.

Hybrid Legbar

The Hybrid Legbar offers the classic blue egg gene combined with the practicality and consistency of hybrid breeding. This means dependable laying patterns, good year round resilience and a pleasant temperament suited to family gardens. The shade of the eggs is usually blue or a soft blue green depending on the individual bird. Hybrid Legbars are particularly popular with keepers who want coloured eggs with reliable output, especially during the busier months of the year when consistent laying can be helpful.

Hybrid Olive Egger

Although Olive Eggers are usually associated with olive coloured shells, many of them produce blue green eggs with a soft tint, especially in the first year. Because an Olive Egger carries a blue egg gene, the pigment can lean towards blue or sage depending on the parentage. At Pipinchick, the Hybrid Olive Egger remains a favourite among those who enjoy a mixed basket of colours. They are excellent layers, friendly birds and versatile additions to gardens of all sizes. If you like the idea of blue eggs but also want the possibility of green tones, this hybrid offers the best of both worlds.

How Many Blue Eggs To Expect

Pure breeds such as Ameraucanas and Araucanas lay moderate but steady numbers of blue eggs, while hybrids like the Hybrid Legbar and Hybrid Olive Egger may produce a higher quantity throughout the year. Age, diet, day length and overall health all influence laying performance, so providing good quality feed, fresh water, space, enrichment and a dry secure coop will help your birds lay to their full potential.

Choosing The Right Blue Egg Chicken For Your Garden

If you want strong, clear blue eggs, the best choices are Ameraucana, Rumpless Araucana and Legbar. If you want dependable laying with a calm temperament, Hybrid Legbars and Devon Blues are excellent. For keepers who want variety in the egg basket, the Hybrid Olive Egger is ideal. All the blue egg breeds at Pipinchick can live happily together and with other gentle breeds, making them easy to integrate into existing flocks.

Buying Blue Egg Hens Online

If you are keen to add blue eggs to your daily egg basket, you can explore blue egg laying breeds in the Pipinchick collection of chickens to buy online. The Ameraucana, Rumpless Araucana, Legbar, Hybrid Legbar, Devon Blue and Hybrid Olive Egger are available to buy through the Pipinchick website. Each product page includes details on temperament, laying patterns, care needs and compatibility, helping you choose the right coloured egg layer for your home or smallholding. 

Pipinchick are the UK’s number one most trusted pet poultry provider. We deliver happy, healthy chickens safely to your door. All our chickens are reared lovingly by us on our farm in the beautiful Chew Valley, just outside Bristol. We also sell lots of handy chicken keeping essentials such as plastic chicken houses, wooden chicken coops, chicken runs and enclosures as well as all the supplies you'll ever need to keep your hens happy and healthy, such as chicken corn & feed, chicken healthcare products and feeders and drinkers.