A chicken that lays olive green eggs, is the product of a cross between a hen and rooster that are from a brown egg and a blue egg laying breed. All eggs start out white in color; those that are laid in shades other than white have pigments deposited on them as the eggs travel through the hen’s oviduct.

Ameraucana birds have the pigment oocyanin deposited on the egg as it travels through the oviduct. This pigment permeates the egg shell resulting in the interior and exterior of the egg being the same blue color. Chickens that lay brown tinted eggs deposit the pigment protoporphyrin on the eggs late in the process of forming the shell. The pigment therefore does not penetrate the interior of the egg, but tints only the surface of the egg, which is why brown eggs are white on the interior. In the case of an Olive Egger, a brown pigment overlays a blue egg shell resulting in a green egg. Green eggs are blue inside due to the oocyanin penetrating the outer shell. Our most rare color, lavender, is created from our Midnight Majesty Maran hen. This color is different from the other colors. The lavender is created by a deeper "bloom" produced by the hen at the time of laying. The bloom is the protective cover that surrounds the entire egg, including the small pores.

The bloom prevents bacteria from getting inside the egg. It is made up of egg proteins, lipids, glycoproteins, and calcium carbonate. The bloom helps to keep the egg fresh by providing moisture inside the egg. Some hens, especially Marans it seems, produce a deeper bloom that tints the brown egg various shades of plum or purple. It is important to note that no chicken naturally lays a purple or lavender egg. The color is an illusion created by the bloom over a brown egg. Some chickens produce more of a bloom than others and it is never predictable. This is why it is the rarest color we produce.

Learn more about purple eggs >>

Please visit our page for Happy Chickens to learn more about our birds and what colors they lay! Generally, most Heritage breeds lay brown eggs, but a few lay different colors. French Black Copper Marans - dark chocolate brown

Jubilee Orpington - brown Ameraucana - blue Faverolle - pink

Crested Cream Legbar - blue

Our Heirloom chickens are crossbreeds of the above and we get sage green, moss green, and turquoise or mint eggs from them.

We have a variety of chickens at Firefly Fields, including Ameraucana, Orpington, Wyandotte, Faverolle, French Black Copper Maran, Polish, and Silkies. All of our breeds are Heritage breeds as defined by the American Poultry Association and Heirloom breeds and crosses.

Heritage Chickens must be from parent and grandparent stock of breeds recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA) prior to the mid-20th century; whose genetic line can be traced back multiple generations; and with traits that meet the APA Standard of Perfection guidelines for the breed. Heritage Chicken must be produced and sired by an APA Standard breed. Heritage eggs must be laid by an APA Standard breed.

Heirloom Chickens are crossbreeds between the Heritage chicken breeds. These crosses are often stunningly beautiful, extremely hardy and healthy, and are excellent egg layers.

About Heritage Chickens

Our chickens are fed organically milled feed that is blended with fresh grains and seeds. We also feed a huge variety of fresh greens, fruits, vegetables, and insects. Our chickens are also permitted to free range during the day, and they forage for insects, grasses, berries, and sprouts. We plant and grow many types of produce, bushes, and other plants that the chickens love to browse.

We do occasionally have chicks, pullets, and young roosters available for sale. We do not offer laying hens for sale. Our chicks are sold as straight run (unsexed). Please join our mailing list for updates on our chick availability.