Olive Egger Chickens: Eggs, Color, Size, Lifespan, Pictures, and More

Have you heard about Olive Egger chickens? If you like olive-colored eggs, this breed will motivate you in your backyard farming.

Backyard chicken raisers enjoy raising Olive Eggers. They are beautiful hybrid birds.

If you’re considering adding this breed to your flock or are just interested, this guide will answer every question.

This breed information covers Olive Egger Chickens’ history, characteristics, temperament, eggs, size, lifespan, and care guide.

What is an Olive Egger Chicken?

Olive Egger chickens are rare hybrids that are popular. They’re developed by crossing dark brown and blue egg-laying chicken breeds.

These hybrid chickens lay gorgeous olive eggs. Their egg color and appearance are unique.

Olive Egger hens are black, brown, and gray. Their olive-colored eggs fill your basket.

Olive Eggers are appreciated for their beauty, hardiness, and sociability.

They are good foragers and low-maintenance, ideal for backyard and large chicken flocks.

Olive Egger chickens lay an excellent amount of eggs. However, their olive-colored eggs, flexibility, and uncommon look make them excellent new-generation hybrids.

Whether you’re a backyard hobbyist or commercial farmer, this hybrid chicken variety brings beauty to your chicken coop.

Origins and History of Olive Egger Chickens

Because Olive Eggers are hybrid chickens, the APA and other major poultry organizations do not recognize them.

In 1842, Chinese chickens were mixed with indigenous breeds in England, getting into the cross-breeding craze.

Farmers crossed breeds with qualities to test this. More researchers joined this approach after the discovery of the chicken.

The Olive Egger chicken family includes blue egg-laying breeds like Araucana or Ameraucana and dark brown breeds like Marans or Welsummer.

They crossed-bred for healthier, robust, and adaptable chicks. But in the end, trial and error created Olive Egger chickens.

Because Olive Egger Chickens are not developed to a standard, their look, size, and personality vary.

Unique Features of Olive Egger Chickens

Egg color distinguishes Olive Egger Chickens. Hobbyists and professional egg producers love olive-colored eggs because they are beautiful, nutritious, and tasty.

Olive Egger eggs can be green or brown, depending on the crossbreeding.

Olive Eggers’ diverse appearance is another unique trait. They can have many colors, patterns, and feather types because they are a hybrid breed with no standard appearance.

Olive Egger flocks are diverse and attractive, making them ideal for backyard coops.

So, Olive Eggers can have Ameraucanas’ tufted ears, beards, and muffs or Marans’ feathered legs and feet. This diversifies and beautifies your Olive Egger flock.

Olive Egger Chicken Lifespan

Olive Egger Chickens live 5–8 years, like other chicken breeds.

Some individuals may live 10 years or more with proper care and management.

A predator-safe environment, good nutrition, and regular checkups are essential for your Olive Egger Chickens’ long and happy life.

Olive Egger Chicken Temperament and Personality

Olive Egger roosters and hens are gentle and docile. The peaceful and easygoing attitude makes them ideal for backyard flocks and families. Due of genetic variation, personalities vary.

The Olive Egger breed is known for its gentleness and non-aggression. They care over their chickens and safeguard their flock. Olive Eggers are docile and rarely attack humans or other animals, unlike some roosters.

They are easy to handle and interact with because they are not flighty. Olive Eggers is outgoing and nice with kids. These adventurous birds like to explore. They also generate less noise in the area due to their calmness.

Olive Eggers can adjust to diverse weather and are friendly. They withstand hot summers and chilly winters well.

Olive Eggers Color Varieties or Breed Standards

Olive Eggers have no recognized breed standards or color varieties. Blue and dark brown egg layers were crossed to create a hybrid chicken.

The Olive Egger chickens vary in appearance and egg color depending on the breeds utilized. They lay dark olive green to khaki color eggs.

Olive Eggers are medium-sized chickens with black or gray plumage. No breed standards exist for Olive Eggers, although they are amiable and docile.

Types of Olive Egger Chickens: Chart and Their Eggs

Various types of Olive Egger chickens are based on the crosses used to create them. Here is a chart showcasing some common crosses and the egg colors they produce:

Blue Ameraucana x Dark Brown Layer = Olive Green Eggs

Cream Legbar x Dark Brown Layer = Light Olive Green Eggs

Welsummer x Blue Ameraucana = Dark Olive Green Eggs

Marans x Cream Legbar = Khaki Green Eggs

Australorp x Cream Legbar = Light Green Eggs

Generally, egg colors may vary during cross.

Olive Egger Chicken Appearance

Olive Egger chickens are stunning and unusual. While Olive Eggers have no recognized breed criteria, their appearance can vary greatly depending on their parents.

Stocky roosters and hens are medium-sized birds with white skin, feathers, beaks, and feet.

Olive Eggers’ feather colors and patterns vary, making each bird distinctive. Their feathers might be brown, black, gray, or a mix.

Legs and toes might be yellow to gray. Olive Eggers usually have wattles and a pea comb. Different earlobe colors are possible.

Olive Egger hens have unusual egg colors. They are bred to deposit eggs in dark olive green, light green, or khaki. Poultry fans love these unusual-colored eggs, which can spice up any egg collection.

Olive Egger hens are attractive, gentle, and friendly. They tolerate diverse weather and get along with other hens.

Their calmness and beauty make them attractive for backyard flocks and those wanting an easy-to-handle breed.

Olive Egger Egg Production and Hens Broodiness

Olive Egger hens are popular among poultry lovers because they lay unusual eggs. These extraordinary hybrid chickens are known for their colorful and large eggs.

These hybrid hens start laying eggs around 5-6 months of age. They mostly lay olive-green color eggs. 

But don’t worry if you get blue-green, brown, and pink eggs. Depending upon the primary crossbred chicken breed, they may sometimes lay these colored eggs.

These hybrid hens lay eggs year-round for their owners. These hybrid hens typically lay 150-200 medium-sized eggs every year.

This makes them a stable source of fresh eggs for everyday breakfast.

Olive Egger eggs are well-known for their quality. Thicker eggshells provide improved protection and durability.

The color and nutrients make the yolks a healthy addition to any dish. Olive Egger eggs have less cholesterol than regular eggs.

The hybrid hens rarely sit on their eggs. This can help people who want reliable egg production without broody hens.

Olive Egger Size & Weight

On average, Olive Egger hens weigh 6-7 lbs, and roosters weigh 7–8 lbs.

The weight differs because they are hybrids, and the gene differs according to their parent bird.

Olive Eggers are medium-sized chickens. They are compact with a muscular chest and legs.

Their size makes them ideal for backyard flocks because they produce much meat and eggs and can easily live in small spaces.

Olive Egger birds are popular with poultry lovers because of their size and weight.

These hens are distinctive and worth raising for their colorful eggs or as a dual-purpose breed.

Olive Egger Baby Chicks

Olive Egger baby chicks are incredibly cute and endearing, with fluffy down and curious personalities. 

They can come in various colors and patterns, depending on the parent breeds, making them a visually exciting addition to any backyard flock. 

As with baby chicks, it’s essential to provide proper care and management to ensure their health and well-being, including a warm and dry brooder, age-appropriate nutrition, and plenty of space to explore and grow.

Olive Egger Hen vs. Rooster: Differences and Similarities

Olive Egger chickens are known for their beautiful egg color and look. But how are Olive Egger hens and roosters different and similar?

The hen and rooster look almost similar, with few differences. They both have dense plumage and medium bodies.

Their plumage is brown, black, or gray. However, roosters have brighter plumage and well-defined combs and wattles.

Size differentiates Olive Egger hens from roosters. Roosters are bigger and stronger than hens.  Moreover, they have larger chests and tail feathers.

Both the hen and rooster enjoy foraging and scratching for food. However, roosters can be aggressive when protecting their flock.

Roosters don’t lay eggs. Only hens lay eggs, and Olive Egger hens lay olive-colored eggs. Eggs might be olive green or blue. Sometimes, you may see brown shades of eggs.

On the other hand, Hens are smaller and more slender than roosters, with a more subtle comb and wattle.

Olive Eggers, hens, and roosters can have differences and similarities in appearance, size, and behavior. 

However, this can vary greatly depending on the parent bird’s personality and upbringing.

Caring for Olive Egger Chickens: Tips and Guidelines

Caring for Olive Egger Chickens is relatively straightforward, but there are some essential tips and guidelines to keep in mind to ensure their health and happiness.

Provide a Cozy Coop: Olive Egger chickens love to live in a safe coop. Make sure it’s big enough for them to move around and predator-proof. Keep the chicken coop clean and ventilated for their wellness.

Balanced Diet: Olive Egger hens need a balanced diet to stay healthy and productive. Provide commercial poultry feed, green vegetables, insects, and worms. Proper nutrition boosts egg production in flocks and provide a healthy life.

Adequate Water Supply: Keep Olive Egger chickens hydrated with clean water. They need water constantly, especially in hot weather. Avoid dehydration by checking and refilling poultry waterers.

Health Checks: Check your Olive Egger chickens often. Loss of appetite, tiredness, and strange behavior may indicate disease. Discuss any difficulties with a vet for diagnosis and treatment.

Predation Protection: Foxes, raccoons, and hawks can attack and eat Olive Egger chickens. Make their coop predator-proof with robust fencing and latches.

Dust baths: Olive Egger chickens love to dust baths to keep their feathers parasite-free. Allow this natural activity in a dry soil or sand environment.

Social Interaction: These hybrid chickens love to forage in groups. Please keep them in a flock or add similar chicken breeds for better company.

Regular Exercise: Let your Olive Egger chickens run free in a supervised area. Like their natural habit, this gives them exercise, mental stimulation, and food foraging.

Nesting Boxes: Make Olive Egger chickens nest in cozy boxes. Give them clean straw or wood shavings and set the boxes in a quiet, secluded area to lay their eggs. You can build the best quality chicken nesting boxes at home.

Give Them Space To Roost: Olive Egger chickens like perching and roosting. To accommodate their nighttime perching, provide robust perches at various heights in the coop.

Olive Egger Common Health Issues

Olive Egger can be susceptible to specific health issues like all chicken breeds. Some of the most common health concerns include:

1. Parasites: Mites, lice, and other parasites can cause skin irritation, feather loss, and other health issues if left untreated. Regularly inspect your birds for signs of infestation and treat them as necessary.

2. Respiratory infections: Poor ventilation, overcrowding, and other environmental factors can lead to respiratory infections such as mycoplasma and infectious bronchitis. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, and wheezing, and treatment typically involves antibiotics and supportive care.

3. Egg-laying issues: Olive Egger hens can experience issues such as egg binding, where an egg becomes stuck in the oviduct and cannot be laid. This can be a life-threatening condition that requires immediate veterinary attention.

9. Nutritional deficiencies: A lack of proper nutrition can lead to poor egg production, weak bones, and other health problems. Ensure a balanced and nutritious diet that meets your birds’ needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Olive Egger Chickens

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about Olive Egger Chickens:

How many eggs does Olive Egger lay?

Olive Egger hens typically lay around 150-200 eggs annually, although this can vary depending on age, health, and environment. They are reliable layers and popular for backyard chicken keepers looking for colorful eggs.

When do Olive Egger start laying eggs?

Olive Egger hens typically begin laying eggs between 5–7 months of age. However, this can vary depending on diet, environment, and genetics. Proper nutrition and comfortable living space are essential to ensure healthy egg production.

Are Olive Egger hens broody?

Some Olive Egger hens may be more prone to going broody and sitting on their eggs, while others may not display this behavior at all. It varies from bird to bird.

If a broody Olive Egger is desired, it is crucial to provide a suitable nesting area and regular egg collection to prevent her from accumulating too many eggs.

What color are Olive Egger chickens?

Olive Egger Chickens can come in various colors and patterns, from black and blue to red and brown.

What size eggs do Olive Egger lay?

Olive Egger hens typically lay medium to large-sized eggs, with an average weight of around 50-60 grams.

How long do Olive Egger chickens live?

Olive Egger Chickens can live for an average of 5-8 years, although some individuals may live longer with proper care and management.

How often do Olive Egger lay eggs?

Olive Egger hens typically lay around 200–250 eggs yearly, or around 4-5 eggs per week during peak production.

How big do Olive Egger chickens get?

Olive Egger Chickens can vary in size depending on the specific crossbreeding, but generally, they are medium to large birds. Roosters weigh 7-8 pounds, while hens typically weigh 6-7.

Are Olive Egger friendly?

Olive Egger Chickens can be friendly and sociable, although this can vary depending on the individual bird’s personality and upbringing.

Are Olive Egger chickens cold-hardy?

Olive Egger Chickens are mostly hardy birds that can handle cold temperatures but may need additional protection during extreme weather conditions.

Conclusion: Are Olive Egger Good for Your Backyard Coop?

In conclusion, Olive Egger Chickens are a fascinating and unique breed that can make a great addition to any backyard coop. 

Their beautiful olive-colored eggs, diverse appearance, and curious personalities make them popular among hobbyists and professional egg producers.

As with any breed, it’s essential to carefully consider their care requirements, temperament, and health issues before adding them to your flock. 

But with proper care and management, Olive Egger Chickens can provide years of enjoyment and delicious eggs for you and your family.