Easter Eggers (EEs) are hybrid chickens that originate from different breeds, with at least one parent possessing the blue egg-laying gene. This genetic combination leads to a wonderful assortment of egg colors, including pale blue, brown, and even olive green when crossed with specific breeds. Unlike purebred chickens, Easter Eggers do not consistently produce offspring with the same traits, meaning their descendants may have varying physical characteristics or egg colors compared to their parents. For example, some EEs might lay deep green eggs, while others could produce pastel blue eggs.
The Olive Egger
Within the Easter Egger family, Olive Eggers represent a distinct variety. These unique birds are produced by breeding a blue egg layer with a dark brown egg-laying breed such as the Barnevelder, Marans, or Welsummer. The outcome? Hens that produce beautiful olive green eggs, enhancing the diversity of your collection!
The Barnyard Mix
The term "barnyard" is a little broad and can refer to the offspring of birds that are of unknown mix, from people who have mixed free range flocks and can't identify parentage, or any mix that isn't an Easter Egger or Olive Egger.
Bottom Line
Breeding a blue layer to a dark brown egg-layer produces Olive Eggers. Breeding a blue layer to any other layer produces an olive egger.
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